Arman Tsarukyan wants a UFC title shot more than anything, even it means he has to fight under a tight schedule.

Saturday, Tsarukyan (24-3 MMA, 10-2 UFC) cemented his status as the No. 1 contender at 155 pounds, dominating and submitting Dan Hooker (24-13 MMA, 14-9 UFC) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 265 at ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar. Although he has a solid case to be next for champion Ilia Topuria, there's been speculation about Topuria's next title defense being in January for the UFC's debut with Paramount – their new broadcasting partner.

To many, that might seem like a difficult or even impossible timeline, but given that it's just potentially a couple of months away. But for Tsarukyan, it would be an opportunity he can't turn down.

"Of course, of course," Tsarukyan told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 265 post-fight press conference when asked about a January return. "I can rest one week, fly to the U.S. and stay there two months. It's enough time to get ready. I didn't get any injury, thank God. They have to say that. Hopefully on Tuesday they announce the fight – me fighting main event vs. Topuria, whether it's going to be in Las Vegas or Los Angeles. I have to take that chance. I have plenty of time to get ready."

Time will tell if Tsarukyan will get the next shot at the belt. Top contenders Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje are also campaigning to get the next shot at Topuria.

Tsarukyan was supposed to fight for the UFC lightweight title this past January at UFC 311, but withdrew from the bout a day prior, citing a back injury. He was replaced by Renato Moicano, who went on to lose to then-champion Islam Makhachev.

As far as Tsarukyan's win over Hooker, he now finds himself on a five-fight winning streak. There was plenty of bad blood between him and Hooker, with tons of trash talk online and even a headbutt from Tsarukyan's part at Friday's weigh-ins. Despite the heat, Tsarukyan did bury the hatchet with Hooker after the bout.

"I just said, 'This is just the game, this is business," Tsarukyan said. "'I don't have anything personal to you. You're the man. You're the only guy that would fight with me. If you didn't take this fight, I wouldn't be here. Thank you.' Really, it was only one guy that would fight me, Dan Hooker. I said thank you to him because of the experience, money, attention, everything."

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Arman Tsarukyan wants Ilia Topuria next, game for January return