A victorious Anderson wants a title shot next and if one isn?t awarded, a release from the UFC is the next best option for him.
?Release me. If you don?t want to give me what I?ve earned, let me go. I?m hot. I?ve proved my worth. I?ll go somewhere where somebody?s gonna respect me. A lot of people feel like you need the UFC. ? I don?t need the UFC. I love being here. Don?t get me wrong, I love it. I love my job. I love the opportunity to inspire and go around the world to do that. I?ve never been a person to depend on somebody for what I need. If I have to go back working 9-5, I?ll do that. I?ve gotta make sure my family eats. But if I?m out here proving myself, I?m doing what you want. I just did exactly what you want ? knockout, excitement? Tell me that?s not exciting. I did that. So they?re still not giving me my worth? Let me go. I?ll go somewhere else,? Anderson said after the event (via Matt Erickson & Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie).
Anderson is currently at #7 in the UFC Light Heavyweight Division rankings, but two of the six fighters ranked ahead of him (Dominick Reyes & Jan Blachowicz) have yet to receive a title shot either.
UFC President Dana White, who was in attendance at UFC 244, says that Anderson should just accept the fights that are offered to him.
?We?ll figure out what?s next for you, and when your contract is up, if you still don?t want to be here, you can do whatever you want to do,? White said after the event (via Simon Head of MMA Junkie). ?In the meantime, take the fights that we offer you. Pretty simple.?
There is no word yet on who gets the next shot at UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who hasn?t defended the gold since UFC 239.