BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Donald Cerrone is not backing down from previous statements that the UFC lightweight title is on his mind. And “Cowboy” believes he’ll be within striking distance if he beats Alexander Hernandez on Saturday at UFC on ESPN+ 1.

Cerrone (34-11 MMA, 21-8 UFC) will return to the lightweight division for the first time since December 2014 when he meets Hernandez (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in the featured preliminary bout at UFC on ESPN+ 1. The fight airs on ESPN following early prelims streamed on ESPN+ and prior to the main card on ESPN+.

Even before his most recent victory against Mike Perry at UFC Fight Night 139 in November, Cerrone said he would be returning to 155 pounds in pursuit of the title he once unsuccessfully challenged for. Cerrone is often an aimless and carefree character, but as he gets older, he said a timeline to accomplish his goals has formed.

“Saturday, get in there and do my thing and I think I’ll take a top-five out and hopefully I’ll get the title,” Cerrone told reporters, including MMAjunkie, at UFC on ESPN+ 1 open workouts. “I think I’m two away. I left and I was No. 2 (in the UFC rankings). I lost to (Rafael) dos Anjos then I went to ’70. I was ranked No. 2. Now I don’t have a number next to my name. But now I’m back, let’s do this fight. I think I’ll be ranked, but then I’ll get a top-five guy.”

If Cerrone had his choice, that top-five opponent would be former dual-division champion Conor McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC). A potential fight between Cerrone and “The Notorious” appeared to have some legs to it at one point, but it did not materialize.

Cerrone, however, hasn’t given up on getting a matchup with the Irishman, who he has been keen on fighting for the past several years.

“We’re working for it, for sure,” Cerrone said. “Hopefully the next fight. Conor’s his own beast. He gets to dictate the sport what he wants, so it’s whether me and the UFC agree, it’s all kind of on him. He did a good job of cementing himself, so it’s all on him.”

For now, though, Cerrone’s focus is on Hernandez. The veteran is putting a lot on the line by fighting a relatively unknown up-and-comer in the division, but Cerrone said there’s nothing “The Great” does that he hasn’t seen or know how to deal with.

“He’s a young, hungry kid and he’s going to come hard,” Cerrone said. “He’s probably going to try to take me down and wrestle me. I hope for the fan’s sake he wants to stand and fight because that’s what everyone wants to see. I’m ready.”

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