THACKERVILLE, Okla. – Tyrell Fortune is beaming with confidence going into Bellator 239.

Fortune (8-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA), an undefeated heavyweight prospect, believes his skills have already reached the top tier of his weight class after a little more than three years as a professional. His level of competition thus far makes that belief impossible to verify, but Friday he takes on an established veteran in Timothy Johnson.

Johnson (12-6 MMA, 0-2 BMMA) has shared the cage with some of the best heavyweights in the world, and although he’s almost exclusively lost his biggest matches, Fortune said it’s the best measuring stick he’s been presented with so far to show where he stands.

“He is the biggest name I’ve fought to date so I think that is a big motivation for me just to grow my brand, grow my name and let guys know, ‘OK, this is someone you want to watch,’” Fortune told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I am ready to start taking everybody out. I truly believe that I am the best heavyweight in the world at this time, right now.”

Fortune’s bold statements will result in additional pressure and expectation for his performances. Not only must he succeed, but he must be impressive in the process.

That’s fine with Fortune, though, because he has ever greater expectations for himself.

“Tim holds more of a wrestling, grappling threat that he uses more for his strategy,” Fortune said. “Which, I think for a guy like me, that doesn’t really work out too well. I obviously went way father than he did in wrestling, so my skills is more polished than him by far. I just think he’s going to have a hard time implementing his game plan if his game plan is grappling or wrestling.”

So long as he’s with Bellator, Fortune’s best avenue to backing up his words will be to claim the organization’s heavyweight championship. He said he’s quickly trending toward that direction, and sees only a few more fights standing between him and the belt.

“I think very soon,” Fortune said. “I think within three fights I can be at a title shot. This weight class isn’t deep around the world. So with my skills and my ability I think another finish, another nice finish over Tim Johnson, should definitely put my name up there in the top five.”