Misha Cirkunov (photo via Twitter)

By FCF Staff

Now that Misha Cirkunov has come to terms with the UFC on a new deal, the rising light-heavyweight has his sites on fighting a legend like “Shogun”Rua or Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

The 30 year-old Cirkunov entered free agency at the beginning of this year, after submitting Nikita Krylov in December. In February, Dana White reported that he was “done” with Cirkunov, and accused the fighter of  “flaking out” on a new deal. More recently, however, the UFC President announced that the sides had come to terms on a new contract after all.

Recently Cirkunov spoke with TSN, and the 13-2 fighter had this to say about his negotiations with the UFC (quote via MMA Junkie):

“It was a rough couple weeks in terms of re-signing and all that,” Cirkunov said. “There were no hard feelings; it was business. I was dealing with it as a manager and not a fighter. … It’s a little bit nerve-racking in terms of you don’t know what to expect. It was my first time dealing with Dana White and (UFC matchmaker) Mick Maynard, and they’ve been in the game for a really long time.”

Cirkunov also talked about who he’d like to face next, and he mentioned “Shogun” Rua. The latter is fighting Gian Villante tonight in the co-headliner of UFC FN 106.

“Before a legend like that leaves the sport and retires I want to rub off my name with someone like ‘Shogun’ or (Antonio Rogerio) Nogueira or one of those big, big names where the whole world knows them. … Every single guy in the division, they’re all exciting fights. Glover Teixeira is another exciting guy who would be a great fight.”

The Latvian born, Canadian resident has gone 4-0 to date in the UFC.