Even if he hasn't stepped inside the UFC octagon yet, Anthony Romero continues to pound on its door.
Canada's Romero (8-0) steps into the LFA cage on Friday night as he takes on American fighter Zach Juusola (11-6) in a lightweight contest at LFA 96 in Park City, KS.
The 23-year-old Romero is returning to action for the first time since his victory over Mike Breeden on Dana White's Contender Series back in August.
Although the DWCS run didn't net him a UFC deal, Romero views the LFA card as the ideal platform to prove once again that he belongs among the sport's elite.
"I'm excited for this opportunity. There's a lot of people that have graduated from this organization into the UFC, and have done well in the UFC. Even my training partner, Aaron Jeffery, competed for LFA in the main event, and he's super close to getting to that next step," said Romero in an interview with MMA Empire.
"I'm also excited to show why I should be in the UFC. I know that was my opportunity on the Contender Series, but you can always take the criticism and put it into something that can benefit your career. I want to show I belong in the best league in the world."
Romero turned in a commanding performance in his DWCS outing against Breeden, winning all three judges' scorecards with marks of 30-26, 30-27, and 29-28, yet somehow left without a UFC contract.
Despite the impressive showing, Romero said he wasn't shocked by the decision and remains satisfied with his performance.
"I wasn't surprised because I can never be too sure about anything, especially with Dana White and the decisions he makes," said Romero.
"Am I proud of my performance? Yes, I would do that again for sure. I feel like I showed all my skills in that fight."
UFC or nothing for Romero
After Romero's DWCS triumph went unaccompanied by a UFC offer, social media buzzed with reports suggesting another major promotion might swoop in.
Romero clarified that no formal offers came his way, but even if they had, he wouldn't have accepted.
"I've always said, from when I started this, I want to be in the UFC, and I feel it wouldn't be right in my career to go anywhere else," said Romero.
"It's not a knock on any other organization, it's just, for myself and my own goals, the UFC is something I want to achieve. I feel like it wouldn't be the same going on without being in the UFC."
Romero was initially slated to fight Alex Trinidad (5-2) on Friday before an injury sidelined him.
Now matched against the more seasoned Juusola, Romero says the switch-up doesn't bother him one bit.
"I'm very confident in my skills that I can compete with the best. It doesn't really matter who's in front of me, I feel like I can display the highest level of technique in the sport," said Romero.
"I'm not afraid of the opponent switch. I just put my chin down and display my skills in front of the world."
Romero's Shoutouts
"I'd like to thank my team (Niagara Top Team), Parabellum MMA, and everyone for the support." Follow Romero on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
