Adrian Yanez: Raphael Assuncao or Jimmie Rivera 'would set me up even higher for my next fight'

After another thrilling finish, Adrian Yanez is ready to elevate his career to the next level.

Yanez (14-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) picked up his third straight “Performance of the Night” bonus when he rallied to score a second-round TKO of fellow prospect Randy Costa at UFC on ESPN 27 this past Saturday.

The 27-year-old’s stock continues to rise, and after winning his seventh straight bout, Yanez likes the suggested ideas of facing veterans Raphael Assuncao or Jimmie Rivera next.

“Both those guys are phenomenal names and guys who I respect,” Yanez told MMA Junkie Radio. “I was watching Raphael Assuncao fight when I was still an amateur, and that was back in 2012, so I have a big respect for the both of them. Both those names sound very, very nice. They’ve been in the game for a very long time, and I think that’s just great all around. I think that would be a great fight either way.

“That would set me up even higher for my next fight, so those are great set-up fights – tune-ups to get those guys who are in the top 15, easily.”

Although he was fairly critical of his performance, especially in the first round, Yanez wants to ramp up his activity by fighting another two times before the end of the year.

“I would want September,” Yanez said. “I definitely want September and then fight end of November and kind of chill out for December, January and February – and after that, be very, very active.”