Danny Roberts targeting Alex Oliveira, Gunnar Nelson next but ready to ‘smoke anyone’

Danny Roberts got a highlight reel win the last time he was in the Octagon — and he now wants to face the bigger names in the division.

Roberts ended a two-fight losing skid by emphatically knocking out Zelim Imadaev at UFC Moscow earlier this month.

"HE SPUN HIM 3️⃣6️⃣0️⃣!"@DanHotChocolate says good night! #UFCMoscow

➡️ Watch more now on ESPN+ ⬅️ pic.twitter.com/RxfM8yYvL6

— UFC (@ufc) November 9, 2019

The Briton is now 17-5 and believes it’s time to get the fights that will insert him into the top 15 of the UFC rankings. Stylistically, Roberts flourishes when he faces a striker who likes to trade.

However, he’s also open to facing a more technical fighter as he revealed who his next targets were.

“Yeah, for stand and trade, [we’re looking] at someone like Alex Oliveira,” Roberts told James Lynch of theScore. “For technical ability that will actually be able to show tenacity, heart, skillset. — someone like Gunnar Nelson.

“There’s a ballpark for what we want as far as a person stood in front of us and an opponent. But at the same time, we’re ready to smoke anyone.”

Despite being on a three-fight losing run, Oliveira is certainly one of the more well-known names in the division. Nelson is also on a losing skid having lost his last two fights but remains a fan favorite.

A fight with “Gunni” would certainly make sense for the UFC’s expected return to England early next year. That timeline also works for “Hot Chocolate” who is even willing to fight in the promotion’s planned debut event in Paris.

“Early next year between Feb, I know they’ve got a show in Paris, in France,” he added. “Feb, March, I’m going to be back at it 100 percent.

“One thing I’ve managed to remain to do is stay consistent. In five years, even with injuries, I’ve managed to have 10 fights. So I want to keep that going. No slowing down.”