RIO DE JANEIRO – After putting another Ezekiel choke on his UFC resume, Aleksei Oleinik wants an opponent that’s “not weak.” A top-10 opponent, preferably.

Better yet, Oleinik (56-11-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) wants to test his unique grappling skills against a “legend” in the heavyweight division: Fabricio Werdum (23-8-1 MMA, 11-5 UFC).

“People call him the best grappler in the heavyweight division,” Oleinik told reporters after his FX-televised submission of Junior Albini (14-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at UFC 224, which took place Saturday at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. “It’s very interesting for me to try my grappling with him.”

On paper, Oleinik’s submission resume in MMA trumps Werdum, with 43 submission wins to Werdum’s 11. But, of course, Werdum’s list of tapout victims is a who’s who list of the sport’s best heavyweights. Much of Oleinik’s resume is filled with unknown fighters.

Werdum is currently No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, so the unranked Oleinik is definitely aiming high. But with the ex-champ coming off a recent loss to another Russian UFC fighter, Alexander Volkov (30-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC), the timing might be right.

Either way, Oleinik will take on any opponent that will help his career. He also welcomed a fight with Mark Hunt (13-12-1 MMA, 8-6-1 UFC) , who’s also coming off a recent loss.

“He says he is old – I’m not very young, too,” Oleinik said with a smile. “Not young, not fast, but I have something to win.”

That pretty much sums up Oleinik’s UFC career to date. Just when it seems time has caught up to him, he pulls another rabbit out of the hat.

“I’m ready for any opponent,” he said. “I want to fight the strongest fighters in the world. I’m top-10 or top-15, so I can’t say, ‘This guy is too strong for me.’ Anybody who the UFC gives me, no problem. Wrestler or puncher.”

For complete coverage of UFC 224, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

Gallery Aleksei Oleinik def. Junior Albini at UFC 224: Best photos view 14 images

Other apps just deliver sports. The USA TODAY Sportswire app lets you pick specific team sites to get only the news that you want to know.

newsletter Get 10 hot stories each day Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation. Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.