Most fighters will argue that every fight they have is their biggest fight yet but the phrase certainly applicable for Cody Garbrandt this weekend when he faces Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 202.

The contest is unique in the sense that Garbrandt not only has to beat the Japanese veteran, but he also has to do it in quick and impressive fashion if he is to send a message to the current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

Back in September 2014, Cruz returned following a long injury layoff and blew the doors Mizugaki in just 61-seconds defeating him via TKO. Just, twenty-three months later, Garbrandt has exactly the same task ahead of him and the Team Alpha Male man is convinced that now is his time to shine.

"I've had a great camp and I've been super busy this year so it's been like, fight camp--fight, week off, fight camp--fight and I'm thankful for that," Garbrandt said. "I can't wait to go out there and perform Saturday night. 

"I definitely think it's my time now. I determined, I'm focused, I'm young. Like I said before the Almeida fight, it's my time to make a run and get hold of Dominick Cruz."

While some might feel the pressure of having such a high benchmark to try to surpass heading into the Mizugaki fight this weekend, Garbrandt sees it differently and thinks that it's a big opportunity to cement his place as the number #'1 contender.

"Dominick Cruz had a warm up fight with Takeya before his title shot having been injured so why not me also," Garbrandt said. "He [Cruz] fought and beat Takeya and then got a title shot so why not me if I also get a knockout victory against him?

"There is no pressure for me to compare my fight with Cruz's fight. I know I'll get the knockout, I'm the far superior fighter and I'm going to impose my will on him. The knockout will come but I'm not going to rush anything. I'm going to find my openings like I always do and get the finish."

Despite Garbrandt being ranked at only number #8 in the official UFC rankings, he believes that his drive and determination for the title surpasses anyone else's in the division and that he will be the next one to face the champion Cruz for the title.

"I'm hungry, hungry to be the champion," Garbrandt said. "Dana White wrapping that gold belt around my waist is what I've dreamed of since I was 13 years old and it's so close I feel I can just whip it out of his hands. I'm more centred, more focused, more hungry and more humble than any of the other guys. 

"I'm excited to go out there on Saturday night and see to the task at hand. I'm not overlooking Takeya but being the champion has always been on my mind. I want to prove I'm the best bantamweight in the world."

When asked if he would have a message for Dominick Cruz if he does win on tomorrow night, Garbrandt said: "I'll think of something--I'll think of something."