Invicta FC atomweight Alyse Anderson loves the progress the UFC has made in advancing women in MMA.

But the 24-year-old thinks there still is one more step to make to fully push women’s MMA into the mainstream: add her division to the UFC.

The UFC currently has four women’s weight classes of fighters ranging from 115 pounds to 145 in 10-pound increments. Anderson (4-1) hopes the UFC, like so many other promotions, adopts the atomweight division – 105 pounds – sometime in the not-so-distant future.

“I think it’s awesome. Especially (with) not that long ago (UFC president) Dana (White) saying girls will never fight in the UFC,” Anderson recently told MMA Junkie Radio (go to the the 49:23 mark in the video above). “Now, they’re headlining shows. So it’s just a matter of time until they add my division. I strongly believe that I will be one of the pioneers of that division. I plan on being the UFC 105-pound champ.”

If Anderson is looking to be a pioneer, she has a good mentor by her side. The inaugural UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver, believes in Anderson’s abilities and even coined her nickname, “Lil’ Savage.”

“I started the 155-pound division back in the day when they said, ‘No way. This isn’t going to happen,’” Pulver said. “It was 170, and we’re like, ‘Well, we’ll just keep knocking people out and this weight class will start.’ Being able to start that … and now she has the opportunity (to start this).

“… But besides (fighting, she’s) a nurse. And my wife being a ICU nurse, I’m big fan of our nurses out here. I’ve got all the love and respect for her. That’s something that she has this opportunity, (and) she could be the first ever 105-pound champ … It’s got to start somewhere.”

While she hasn’t been provided any hard evidence the UFC is considering an atomweight division, Anderson is confident 105-pounders soon will grace the UFC octagon.

“I just have a feeling they will,” Anderson said. “They’ve added every other division. Why not? There’s a ton of girls I know that would drop from 115 to 105. So that will stack the division more. ONE Championship has it. The UFC is the last one where they haven’t added it. It’s more of just a good feeling (I have). I just know it.”

Anderson’s next bout takes place Aug. 9 at Invicta FC 36 against undefeated Canadian Anastasia Nikolakakos (3-0). “Lil’ Savage” isn’t solely aiming to win, but to do so impressively, and hopefully catch the eyes of the UFC brass in the process.

“(My manager) Brian (Butler) has been doing a good job of helping me promote and get out there because I’m not fighting as often,” Anderson said. “But hopefully I make a statement Aug. 9 and we’ll show why there should be 105-pounders in the UFC.”

Not only did Anderson predict a UFC atomweight division down the line. She also thinks she’ll be able to pull off another highlight-reel flying triangle submission.

“I think I’m going to hit it again in my next fight,” Anderson said. “I just keep telling everyone.”

For more on Invicta FC 36, check out the MMA Schedule section of the site.

MMA Junkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, Brian “Goze” Garcia and Dan Tom. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio. You can also check out www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmfightnation.