Raphael Assuncao (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

If not for Dominick Cruz’s triumphant return to the Octagon last month, Raphael Assuncao may have locked up a title shot last night at UFC Fight Night 54, but instead, the surging bantamweight isn’t sure what’s next.

Assuncao worked his way to a unanimous decision win over Bryan Caraway on Saturday, and extended a seven fight win streak, which includes a split decision win over reigning champ, TJ Dillashaw.

Speaking after the bout, here is what Assuncao had to say about the victory and the pressure he was under leading into the bout.

“It’s a lot of mixed emotions coming into this fight; it’s a lot of pressure. A seven fight win streak is not easy a lot of times. So I got to be humble enough to get into the gym and try to improve, even though I’m winning the fights. It’s not easy a lot of times.”

The 32 year-old fighter is currently ranked #4 in the UFC’s 135 division, behind Urijah Faber, Cruz and Renan Barao.

Following Cruz’s quick stoppage win over Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 178, UFC President Dana White relayed that the former champ would challenge Dillashaw for the title next.

In another interview Assuncao conducted on Saturday, the fighter conceded he needed to score a memorable victory over Caraway, in order to “match” what Cruz did at UFC 178. Assuncao also said that despite earning the win, it wasn’t his “best performance.”