"It's a big opportunity for me in the UFC. I want to be one of the best, so it's a good shortcut to the Top 10. I'll work hard to get this win. I believe I deserve to be at the Top 10 after this win, and I've worked my whole life for this. I have a history in the sport in Brazil, but it's not normal to get in the UFC and fight a top 10 fighter that was close to getting a shot at the title one year ago. I'm happy with this opportunity. I'm sure we'll have a great fight."
-- Winner of his first fight under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner, Adriano Martins hopes to crack into a Top 10 Lightweight ranking sooner rather than later. And a win over Donald Cerrone this weekend (Jan. 25, 2014) at UFC on Fox 10 in Chicago, Ill., just might be what gets him there as the Brazilian recently told MMA Fighting. After winning four straight in his home country -- and one under the Strikeforce umbrella -- Martins got the call to go to the big show, proving quickly that he that belonged by defeating Daron Cruikshank via submission (armbar) at UFC Fight Night 32. His sophomore effort inside the Octagon, however, will see him jump up in competition as he'll be facing a longtime veteran in "Cowboy" that is trying to reel off two straight wins for the first time since 2012. Should Martins pull off the upset, it very well could earn him a spot in the Top 10. At the very least, it might land him in the top 15.