Mairbek Taisumov versus Anthony Pettis is a fight plenty of UFC fans will want to see and seems as though they will be getting their wish.

Joe Rogan got rumors started last weekend when he mentioned on his fight companion podcast that Pettis' next opponent would be the Russian. Speaking at ACB 52 in Vienna, Austria this evening, Taisumov would neither confirm or deny the rumors, but he did say his next fight would be confirmed in the coming days and that Pettis would be a perfect opponent.

"I cannot say anything about that right now, but trust me you will know in just a matter of days," Taisumov told FloCombat. "I can tell you that he is going to be a top-ranking opponent and I'm very excited to get a fight and especially fight this man. Pettis would be good."

Asked whether he'd take a fight with Pettis if offered, the Russian didn't need to think for a second.

"It would be a dream fight for me," Taisumov said. "It would be amazing for me and I hope it happens. Pettis is one of the best strikers and I really want to fight guys like him and test myself."
 
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Taisumov is 26-5 as a professional and is currently riding a four-fight win streak that includes wins over Marcin Bandel, Anthony Christodoulou, Alan Patrick and Damir Hadzovic. The Russian was expected to face Nik Lentz at UFC 203, Sept. 10, 2016, however he was removed from the event the week before following visa issues.

Having not fought since March, Taisumov is itching to get back in the Octagon.

"I'm a guy that wants to fight all the time and I'm always in good shape," Taisumov said. "I didn't want to spent this time out, but I didn't get my visa for the U.S. so now I've been waiting around longer than ever to get a fight.

"It's all happened because of these visas and I hope now it is all sorted and I can fight in America. My lawyer is now working on it and I'm hopeful that he has now got it all done."

Taisumov then gave his goals for 2017 and he had only one thing on his mind--being as active as possible and getting himself in line for a lightweight title shot.
"I want to be the number one," Taisumov said. "I want that title and I know I can do this. I want to be more active now and when I have my visa I will fight every week," he said laughing.

With his fellow countryman taking on Tony Ferguson for the UFC interim lightweight title at UFC 209, Taisumov unsurprisingly said there'd be only one winner.

"Khabib will smash this guy and then I will beat him after," Taisumov said. "Khabib will finish Ferguson--yes, Khabib will finish Ferguson easy."