For a guy who's undefeated in his last 7 fights, former Strikeforce champ Gegard Mousasi doesn't get a ton of respect. His sole UFC appearance so far was an underwhelming decision win over late substitute Ilir Latifi and he hasn't fought at Middleweight since 2008, but that doesn't stop Mousasi from seeing himself smack dab in the middle of the UFC MW title hunt.

Here's what he had to say to Tatame (translation via MMA.tv):

"The reality is this - Silva vs Weidman II is going to have to happen first on December 28th," said Mousasi. "Vitor has to wait for a title shot no matter what. I know the UFC wants to see this fight happen as they offered it to me for UFC Belo Horizonte in September. I could not take the fight because I just had surgery. So, it is inevitable that Vitor and I are going to have to meet first to determine who the #1 contender is. So my opinion is that we should also fight on December 28th on the same card as Anderson v. Weidman II to determine the #1 contender spot for the UFC middleweigh title. "It is as simple as this. Vitor and I were supposed to fight in the past for both Affliction and now the UFC. Vitor knows that it is inevitable that we are going to have to meet in the Octagon."

What do you think? Does Mousasi vs. Belfort make sense? Is it a #1 contender's bout?

Of course Mousasi isn't the only UFC MW with his eyes on Belfort. Costa Philipou had the following Twitter exchange with Ariel Helwani earlier this week:

@arielhelwani Belfort sounds good to me! NOT in Brazil!#TRT — Costas Philippou (@Philippou185UFC) July 13, 2013

Should Philippou get the nod?