BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Yaroslav Amosov handed David Rickels the first submission loss of his MMA career, then said he was ready to take on the winner of the upcoming title clash between Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima, and admitted he was rooting for “The Red King” to prevail to set up a dream fight for the Bellator welterweight strap.

Amosov (22-0 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) turned in a hugely impressive performance to submit Rickels (21-6 MMA, 15-6 BMMA) with a second-round D’Arce choke in their 175-pound clash at Bellator 225 and announce himself as a legitimate threat to the division’s best at welterweight.

“I feel like I could be the next one for the champion. I want it. It’s my goal to be a champion,” he told reporters via a translator backstage at Webster Bank Arena after his victory. “I’m craving to fight Rory MacDonald, because when I just started training and just started fighting, Rory was already a top fighter in the world. So he motivates me, I like his style, I like how he moves. And I like the result (tonight), and one day soon I can fight with him, so that motivates me.”

His victory over Rickels, the man with the most appearances inside the Bellator cage, showed the undefeated Ukrainian’s grappling skills as he dominated proceedings with his takedowns and top position. And when the opportunity presented itself in the second round, Amosov locked up a tight D’Arce choke for the victory. It was a star-making performance, but it was nothing less than Amosov himself expected.

“There are no easy fights, so I always prepare for a tough fight and the worst-case scenario. It is what it is. We saw the result,” he said. “I wasn’t surprised that I could dominate him like that. I’m a four-time world champion in combat sambo. I prepared for a long time, for a couple of months. It was hard training. So I’m glad I got this victory.”

The nature of Amosov’s win led some fans and media to liken his performance to that of UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Amosov said he was happy to be compared to the all-conquering Russian world champion, and hoped to one day follow in his footsteps and reach the top of his profession.

“I’m very glad that fans are talking about me and Khabib in the same sentence,” he said. “I’m always looking for a championship fight and I’m trying to get the best from champions, taking notes and learning something from them. I’m looking forward to being a champion one day.”