When you look at impressive win streaks in MMA, Jimmie Rivera’s current run has to be recognized as one of the hottest things rolling.

After dropping his second career fight by split decision, Rivera has rattled off 20 straight wins. This streak has catapulted Rivera to a No. 3 ranking and a de facto title eliminator fight with former bantamweight kingpin and pound-for-pound great Dominick Cruz.

When the UFC returns to Rivera’s backyard for UFC 217 in New York City on Saturday night, the surging contender will be watching closely from cage side as TJ Dillashaw and champion Cody Garbrandt step in to settle their rivalry. However, in an era where post-fight rants and face-offs are slowly becoming the norm, don’t expect to see Rivera engaged in a verbal battle like Darren Till and Mike Perry.

“That’s what the UFC wants,” Rivera tells FloCombat’s Top Turtle MMA Podcast. “They want you to call out people.

“You gotta be good on the mic. Unfortunately, I’m not one to trash talk."

After a monster streak and not getting the big-name opponents he deserves, Rivera does understand the way that the UFC is changing. Citing this past weekend's UFC Fight Night in Sao Paulo as an example, Rivera explains the new game that everyone has to play.

“You see with Daniel Cormier after the previous Brazil fight asking every fighter ‘Who’s next for you? Who do you want?” he explains. “[My last fight] I had a game plan. The last couple times I went to the mic, I didn’t have a game plan.”

That game plan was to call for his current opponent Cruz, who was doing color for his last fight in Long Island. While it worked and got him a date with Cruz in December, don’t expect major changes in the way that Rivera carries himself.

“All my talking smack is done in the cage and I show it in everything that I’ve accomplished.” he says when asked about his verbal skills.

As for the fight he’ll be watching, Rivera is reserved on that front as well. Excited to see it all go down in at Madison Square Garden, he thinks the fight simply comes down to hands.

“It’s going to be interesting because they know each other so well. It’s gonna come down to who’s the better striker,” he says. “Whether it’s Cody’s boxing skills or TJ’s awkward movement.”

Whichever of those two options comes out on top, Rivera feels he’ll be ready, even if he won’t shout it from the rooftops.