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The way Cody Stamann is looking at his fight this week, his opponent has a bigger name – and he might as well take advantage of it.

Stamann (15-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) fights France’s Tom Duquesnoy (15-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the featured UFC 216 preliminary card bantamweight fight Saturday. UFC 216 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and UFC Fight Pass.

“I think he might have a little bigger name than me, just because he fought in BAMMA and he’s one of the best guys from that European scene,” Stamann recently told MMAjunkie Radio.

Oddsmakers so far have made the 135-pound matchup a pick’em fight. The fighters have the same records – both 15-1 overall, and each with wins in their recent UFC debuts.

Michigan’s Stamann took a unanimous decision from Terrion Ware at UFC 213 in July, giving him eight straight wins since his lone pro loss – a split decision in 2014.

Duquesnoy, who trains with the Jackson-Wink MMA team in New Mexico, stopped Patrick Williams early in the second round at UFC on FOX 24 in April for his 11th straight win. In that stretch, he won BAMMA’s featherweight and bantamweight titles. So Stamann probably is right on par when he talks about Duquesnoy’s name and reputation.

But that’s what he plans to capitalize on.

“I look at this fight like it’s the perfect opportunity for me,” Stamann said. “This guy’s only got one fight in the UFC, and he’s got a huge name. This fight is going to do a lot for my career. I’m going to be seated at the table, so to speak. I’ll finally be in the mix with the guys I’ve always wanted to compete against. This fight has got big implications.”

Just how big are we talking, though? Stamann says big enough that by this time next year, it’ll be him fighting for the bantamweight title currently held by Cody Garbrandt. Garbrandt defends the belt next month against T.J. Dillashaw in the UFC 217 co-main event.

It doesn’t seem to matter to Stamann who wins that fight. He just knows he needs to beat Duquesnoy on Saturday, and in a prime spot leading into the main card on pay-per-view. Then we can start talking about the kinds of opponents that ultimately will get him in line to fight for that belt.

“I think in a year we’re going to be talking about my upcoming fight for the bantamweight world title,” he said. “I really do think that … I don’t think, I know that I have that capability.

“This is just the beginning of all the things I’ve seen unfold in my head already. In one year, we’ll be talking about me being the world champ, and then in a year and a half, I’ll probably be defending that belt.”

For more on UFC 216, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

Filed under: News, Radio Highlight, UFC, Videos