FORTALEZA, Brazil – Raphael Assuncao has done his best to separate himself from the frustration of not fighting for a UFC championship. However, sometimes that’s easier said than done.

Assuncao (27-5 MMA, 11-2 UFC) is one of the top contenders in the UFC bantamweight division. He meets fellow divisional standout Marlon Moraes (21-5-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in a rematch on Saturday, which headlines UFC on ESPN+ 2 from his native Brazil. UFC President Dana White once labeled the matchup a No. 1 contender bout, but with 135-pound champ T.J. Dillashaw in an odd position, there’s no guarantees.

Dillashaw (16-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) unsuccessfully moved down to challenge flyweight titleholder Henry Cejudo (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 1 this month. Now there’s talk of doing a rematch at bantamweight, which would once again put Assuncao’s timeline to fight for UFC gold up in the air.

Unfortunately that’s not an unfamiliar feeling for Assuncao.

“The champion needs to get his stuff together and defend his title,” Assuncao told MMAjunkie. “Now they’re talking about a title defense against Cejudo, so that kind of complicates things a little bit. … I think T.J. should’ve stayed at his weight and done what he was supposed to do at 135. He went down to 125, and now I’m sure he regrets what happened. He should’ve stayed at his weight class and taken responsibility at his weight class.

“Just like when I should’ve fought for the title before and Cody (Garbrandt) took my place, and it didn’t go well twice for him. In the back of my mind, I don’t want to be a hater, but it’s like, ‘See, that’s what you get.’ It should’ve been my turn. Same with T.J. That’s what you get when you should’ve defended your own title.”

UFC on ESPN+ 2 takes place at Centro de Formacao Olimpica do Nordeste in Fortaleza, Brazil. Assuncao vs. Moraes headlines the card, which streams on ESPN+.

There was some consideration on Assuncao’s side about simply holding out on the next fight and seeing if the UFC would pit him against Dillashaw. Then the promotion came along with the offer to do a second fight with Moraes, who Assuncao beat by split decision at UFC 212 in June 2017.

Although Assuncao would seemingly have more to lose in the rematch, he said the package that came along with the fight offer created a scenario that made sense.

“I got a new contract, got a new deal,” Assuncao said. “A little bit more money – not substantial, but we were renegotiating, and the main event was offered. For me, it’s not just about being the main event, it is a lot of eyes on us. It proves me. If I’m going to be a champion, this is a good start of a proving ground being a main-event fight. It was also part of the finalization of negotiations in my new contract.”

Considering the highly competitive nature of their first fight, a rematch between Assuncao, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, and No. 5-ranked Moraes is actually quite logical. Assuncao has won an impressive 12 of his past 13 fights, while Moraes has done even better than that, emerging on top in 16 of his past 17.

With five rounds available for use in the rematch, there should be a much more definitive answer as to who is the better fighter.

“The physical attributes are going to be similar because we know each other physically, but as MMA fighters we are constantly changing and improving and a lot of factors come into play,” Assuncao said. “I don’t think it will be the exact fight. Obviously it will not be the exact fight, but I look at it is a whole different fight. My approach is all different. His approach is probably totally different, so I’m prepared for an all new fight.”

If Assuncao wins again, his argument for a title shot would be difficult to refute. His only loss at bantamweight came against Dillashaw at UFC 200 in July 2016 in what was a rematch of his win in their first fight at UFC Fight Night 29 in October 2013.

The trilogy is something Assuncao wants badly, and he’s trying to keep positive that it will finally come to fruition.

“I’m resilient; I’m pretty positive it’s going to work out my way,” Assuncao said. “I do have the expectation of being in a No. 1 contendership fight. I’ve mentioned and I’ve hoped and I’ve been in this situation many times. Hopefully this time it’s going to work. Right now the task at hand is Marlon Moraes once again. That’s all my focus right now. But obviously in the very back of my mind, I have the contendership fight.

To hear more from Assuncao, check out the video above.

For more on UFC on ESPN+ 2, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.