COLUMBUS, Ohio – Askar Askarov expects to earn a title shot with a win over Kai Kara-France.

The unbeaten Askarov (14-0-1 MMA, 3-0-1 UFC) meets Kara-France (23-9 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 33 main card, which takes place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Coming off wins over top contenders Alexandre Pantoja and former title challenger Joseph Benavidez, Askarov sees big implications if he beats Kara-France and is eying the winner of the rumored fourth fight between champion Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.

“Kai Kara-France is a very tough opponent and a very good striker,” Askarov told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day for UFC on ESPN 33. “I’ve been fighting with the better guys in this division, so it’s nothing new for me. I’m just going to go and do my thing. I can finish the fight. I can see that I can finish him.

“I think this fourth fight will be the last one of Brandon Moreno and Figueiredo … and I think who wins this Saturday, me or Kai Kara-France, is next in line for a title shot.”

Askarov hasn’t lost in his professional MMA career, but the only person he wasn’t able to beat is Moreno, who he battled to a split draw in September 2019. However, Askarov thinks he won that fight and criticized Moreno for being selective with his fights.

“Moreno, after he wins, he always chooses his opponents (and picks) the easiest fights,” Askarov said. “He knows that I beat him and I can still beat him. I’m the king of this jungle. Tell them I’m back. The king is back. I’m going to take my win this Saturday, and I’m coming for my belt.”