Brandon Royval will happily share the octagon with Muhammad Mokaev, but doesn’t think it makes sense right now because either of them could get the call for a title fight at any moment.

Royval (16-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) has been pushing for a trilogy bout against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (27-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) after scoring a short-notice upset of Brandon Moreno at UFC Fight Night 237 in Mexico in February. Pantoja has made it clear he’d determined to defend his title on home soil at UFC 301 in Brazil on May 4, and said he would accept any challenger the UFC offers him.

The scenario seems to come down to a three-man race between Royval, Mokaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and Steve Erceg (12-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC). Despite already having two losses to the champion, including a lopsided unanimous decision defeat at UFC 296 in December, Royval still thinks he’s the best candidate.

“I have (thought about it) and I just don’t know if I really want to sit out, either – I want to fight,” Royval told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m in a good situation right now where I can make a lot of money this year. If I can fight for a belt that would be the most ideal situation. I don’t really know who else they’re going to give it to. If they give it to me, I’m going to be ready for that fight no matter what, and I’ll take that fight.

“I don’t want to wait around. I feel like I can clear the division at least to a certain degree. I was looking at the top five and I’ve beat everyone in the top five except for Amir Albazi, and that’s the only person I haven’t faced. … I feel like I’m doing a good job clearing out the division from one side, and I just have to win that belt. I’ll defend my number against anybody in this world. Any of these flyweights I can beat, but whatever gets me to the title quickest is what I’m looking for.”

Mokaev has a certain advantage over Royval in that he’s never fought Pantoja before. The undefeated 23-year-old knows his unanimous decision win over Alex Perez at UFC Fight Night 238 this month wasn’t exactly a statement effort, but revealed he came into the fight sick and would be in a better condition for a title fight.

If Mokaev doesn’t get the shot, he made a pitch for a title eliminator with Royval to determine a true No. 1 contender. Royval said he has no issues taking a fight against Mokaev, but can’t buy into the sense of it right now.

“I feel like him pressing me really hard for a fight right now is a dumb idea,” Royval said. “Because if you look at the division, it’s either me or him getting the title shot. It’s like, ‘Bro, campaign for Pantoja, that would be the smart move.’ Campaign for Pantoja. That’s what I’m going to do. The Mokaev fight will happen eventually, but I want the Pantoja fight. I’ll be ready by 301. I can make that quick of a turnaround and I’m confident I will beat Pantoja more than anything.

“I want Pantoja. My eyes are on Pantoja. My eyes are always going to be in front of me and that’s what I want. I want to be a champion. I want to win the belt. I would love to win the belt in Brazil. These are all dreams come true. I don’t really see another athlete besides me or Mokaev that are going to be ready for that fight.”

Royval, 31, said he’s sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for UFC to make its decision on the next 125-pound title fight. He’s been given no indication on which direction the brass will go, but he’s confident he’s a serious candidate.

“I have no clue (what UFC is going to do),” Royval said. “I put myself in a good position by winning that Moreno fight and taking that with Moreno. Other than that, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s about to happen at all and who they have in mind, or if (Kyoji) Horiguchi is going to come or any of that stuff. I really have no clue, but I feel I put myself in one of the best positions in the division as far as making that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 301.