DALLAS – Cody Stamann has some extra pent up aggression toward Aljamain Sterling that he intends on unleashing inside the octagon on Saturday at UFC 228.

Stamann (17-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) said he’s not happy with how Sterling (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has conducted himself ahead of their fight, and he’s holding on to those feeling for when he enters the cage. In particular, he wasn’t pleased with how “The Funkmaster” reacted when he challenged him on a statement about being the best grappler in the bantamweight division.

“It started as kind of he was talking about how he’s the best grappler in the bantamweight division,” Stamann told MMAjunkie. “I called him on it and told him then he’s not. Then he told me to go get a couple drinks like I was so far below him. But in my mind I’m actually – you’re eighth, I’m tenth (in the UFC’s rankings). I’m not the guy getting your drinks. I’m not your bartender. I’m nipping at your heels buddy. That really burned my ass. I didn’t like that. He kind of big bothered me like that. I paid my dues, I’ve done everything in this sport and I’ve accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.”

UFC 228 takes place at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Stamann vs. Sterling airs on the FX-televised prelims following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass and prior to the pay-per-view main card.

Personal grudges aside, Stamann, No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, said he holds No. 10-ranked Sterling in high regard in terms of his fighting ability. He said “The Funkmaster” brings a strategic approach to the table that’s effective and slightly irritating. Still, though, Stamann believes he has a solution to neutralize what Sterling does best.

“Aljamain Sterling is absolutely a talented guy,” Stamann said. “Fast, very athletic, a talented wrestler, but when you really get to what Aljamain likes to do, Aljamain is one of those guys who likes to fight on the outside. He runs a lot. Very rarely does he plant his feet and try to throw anything hard. He’s just really good at making people fight his fight. That’s also something I’ve done consistently through my fighting career and that’s why I’ve been successful. I take fights where I want them, I make people fight the kind of fight I want to fight. On Saturday night it comes down to me imposing my game plan on him and not the other way around.”

For Stamann, 28, the goal at UFC 228 is clear: He wants a knockout. “Mr. Wonderful” has required the scorecards in all three of his UFC fights thus far, with him edging out split decisions in his past two wins against Bryan Caraway and Tom Duquesnoy. He’s seeking a definitive outcome to the bout against Sterling, not only to send a message for the personal slight, but to send a message to the rest of the bantamweight division, as well.

“3-0 (in UFC) is a good start, but for me, three decisions,” Stamann said. “So I kind of feel there’s a monkey on my back. I feel like I haven’t pushed that button yet, and I need to. I need to for my self and I need to for the fans. … One way or another he’s going to be unconscious on the canvas and I’m going to be standing over him.”

If Stamann is able to emerge victorious at UFC 228 he would be on an 11-fight winning streak. He has just one blemish on his record, and that’s a split decision loss in a regional bout in August 2014 that Stamann believes he won. Nevertheless, he’s progressed into a position where he’s now fighting the best 135-pounds fighters in the world, and in Stamann’s mind, it’s just a matter of time until he’s competing for the belt.

“I think I’m getting close to that,” Stamann said. “There’s a ton of talented guys at bantamweight. In my eyes ’55 and ’35 are the two most stacked divisions in the UFC right now. There’s literally five guys that could fight for the belt. Everyone is going to argue about who is going to get the next shot, but any of those guys are right there, they deserve that shot. In my eyes it’s going to be the guy – the squeaky wheel is going to get the grease. It’s going to be the guy that stays consistent, stays relevant and keeps fighting.”

For more on UFC 228, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.