New CFFC heavyweight champ Anthony Guarascio makes case for UFC bid: 'It's time to get where I belong'

Undefeated slugger upset Bailey Schoenfelder at CFFC 141 and is hoping for a direct invitation for his octagon debut.

TAMPA, Florida – Anthony Guarascio is well aware of the naysayers that observe him from afar, but with the CFFC heavyweight title now strapped around his waist, he believes it's about time those doubts start to go away.

In fact, Guarascio is so confident in his accomplishments, he believes making an appearance on Dana White's Contender Series really shouldn't be needed. "The Daywalker" would like to take his powerful right hand and enthusiastic mic skills directly into the world's premier MMA promotion.

"I really, really appreciate every single doubter that sat front row, that told me the whole camp that (Schoenfelder) is going to wrestle me to death and all this good stuff," Guarascio said following his win at CFFC 141, which streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS from the Florida State Fairgrounds. "You know something? We should skip the Contender Series and go straight to the UFC, make heavyweight great again the way it's supposed to be."

It might sound like a lofty goal, but the heavyweight division is notoriously thin at the sport's highest level. Currently, there are just 31 names on the UFC's heavyweight roster, significantly less than any of the promotion's other male divisions, and tied for the smallest number of athletes in a weight class in the promotion along with women's bantamweight, another notoriously thin talent pool.

So while it's not the most common route to the UFC these days, a direct invitation isn't completely impossible, and it would be an incredible accomplishment for Guarascio, who has built to his current position without the luxury of a traditional team around him, instead training independently in his Tampa garage.

Guarascio (4-0 MMA, 2-0 CFFC) believes winning the CFFC belt is proof that what he's doing works just fine.

"I keep telling you, I keep saying it, if you have the courage to see it and you can speak it, you can have it," Guarascio said. "I came from nothing. This (belt) is no joke. I am no joke."

Time will tell if Guarascio's wish is granted, but wherever his next fight takes place, expect his approach to remain the same. Guarascio prides himself on vicious aggression, pressing the pace and loading up on a right hand that has quickly become his moneymaker.

Incredibly, in four professional wins, Guarascio has yet to bank an entire round's worth of experience, scoring his four stoppages in a total of just 4 minutes and 19 seconds. Couple that destructive power with undeniable charisma, and Guarascio believes that UFC call should be coming.

"I'd really love to go to the UFC," Guarascio said. "I'm tired of sitting around. It's time to be on the big screen. It's time to get where I belong."