Bryan Caraway is usually a man of few words. But the UFC No. 4-ranked bantamweight now has a fire lit under him, and he's going out all guns blazing for the UFC bantamweight title. 

Time to make a run, Lineker next

Being the quiet man in the division is seemingly no longer an option with so many top contenders gunning for Dominick Cruz's title. With that in mind and some recent personal issues behind him, Caraway now has his eyes set on propelling himself into the mix and making some noise at 135 pounds.

"I've had a lot of personal stuff to deal with, but that's all out the way now and I'm just looking for a big fight," Caraway said. "I want that title shot, but if not, let's get that title eliminator. I'm back in the gym, my weight is down, and I'm the lightest I've ever been. My body is finally healthy.

"I'm looking at (John) Lineker and seeing he's coming off a good win this weekend. He's a guy I've been wanting to get in there with and now he's got this other win under his belt it makes it that much more desirable. I just want to get in there and fight and contend against the best guys. People have been saying I've been quiet, but I've been dealing with injuries and all this other stuff. There was a point where I was even willing to fight injured, but my team and my management stopped me and said just don't listen to people.

"I'm just ready man, I'm stoked to get back in there and continue my win streak and push for that title shot."

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Why Lineker is the fight to make

With Lineker coming off a big win this past weekend against John Dodson, the Brazilian has overtaken Caraway in the rankings. With them both ranked No. 3 and No. 4 respectively, Caraway believes now is the perfect time to make the fight.

"I just beat the last No. 4-ranked guy who was 12-0 and meant to be the next big thing, but I clouded that storm up," Caraway said, referring to his last fight with Aljamain Sterling. "Now Lineker has been on a good win streak so it just makes perfect sense if I don't get that shot at the belt. We are the two highest-ranked guys that haven't fought for the title so why wouldn't we get a title shot or have a title fight eliminator?

"Lineker seems like a great guy, real nice and respectful, but this is the fight business and I respect his talent. I respect what he's done in the Octagon, and I want to challenge myself against him."
 

Caraway promises a barnburner

Having witnessed Linker get involved in some all-out standup scraps on his run of six unbeaten, Caraway believes the two of them together in the Octagon will make for an exciting fight.

"This is the classic striker versus grappler," Caraway said. "It's going to go off. My talent is wrestling guys and his is knocking guys out, so I want to test my chin against him. I think I've got the best chin in the division, and I feel like he's got the hardest punch in the division. Let's do it man, let's get in a fight. Let's have a tear, I'll be trying to take him down, he will be trying to throw bombs and I think it's going to be a high-paced fight.

"He's going to put his chin down and come forward and I'm going to put my chin down and come forward. There's going to be fireworks, because neither of us will want to give an inch." 

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A weakness to exploit?

While being fully respectful of Lineker's work inside the cage, Caraway sees the Brazilian's tendency to miss weight as a weakness that he can exploit.

"He's made 125 pounds and then missed, and now he's missing at 135 pounds -- that just tells me that the guy isn't dedicated in his personal life and his diet," Caraway said. "He doesn't look fully dedicated to me and that shows a lack of physical and mental preparation on his part. That for me shows a big chink in his armor.

"If you can't make weight and be diligent about that, then it's a weakness. I know stuff happens with like sodium levels and that, but in this instance, it's just a character flaw. It's not a mishap or injury or anything, this is habitual and yeah it tells me a lot of about his character."

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Australia or Las Vegas, he's ready to go

Having not fought since May, Caraway is ready to get back in there on just a few weeks a notice. While keener on some cards than others, the American isn't going to get to get picky and doesn't care about what side of the world the fight comes together.

"I'd love to fight on that Australian card in Melbourne on November 22," Caraway said. "I've got friends down there and I'd love to go out there early and train with them. If not that one, then why not on the Vegas card? I'd love to be on that card as well in the co-main event under Demetrious (Johnson) -- that'd be pretty awesome.  

"Look man, I'm ready to go now. Give me a few weeks, and I'm good to go. My weight is down, and I can fight. November would be a great time. If someone gets hurt on that New York card, then I'm ready.

"I want everyone to know that I'm ready, I'm coming for the belt, and I'm going to prove I'm the best bantamweight in the world."