Michael Chiesa is currently regarded as one of the best lightweights on the planet. Unfortunately, he’s been sidelined for almost a year with a back injury.

Luckily for the Ultimate Fighter winner and his fans, he is now almost ready for a comeback. During a recent Q&A in the buildup to UFC Halifax, Chiesa explained that he should be back in the cage soon, and when he does return, he’d like to fight former lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez.

His words (via FloCombat.com).

“From what I’ve been told, in three weeks I should be able to come back,” Chiesa said. “There was no structural damage done, it was all just kinda flared up so, I’m looking to get back in the Octagon in April.”

“Eddie [Alvarez] lost the title to Conor, but I think it’s a fight that makes sense,” Chiesa said. “Eddie’s a tough guy [and a] former champion in other promotions, but he’s had his time and now I think it’s mine.”

“He said he wants to wait around and see to see what happens on March 4, but why don’t you fight somebody? Don’t just sit around and wait for it, you got to go get it. You know, if he’s man enough to step up to the challenge there’s a big bearded guy in the Pacific north-west waiting to get in a fifteen-minute fist fight with him so let’s see if he takes the bait.”

When we last saw Chiesa in action, he tapped Beneil Dariush to extend his win-streak to three. This win was preceded by wins over Jim Miller and Mitch Clarke.

Alvarez, meanwhile, was last seen in action in November, when he was knocked out by Conor McGregor, and surrendered the UFC lightweight title as a result.

Would you be interested in a fight between Michael Chiesa and Eddie Alvarez? Who do you think would win? Sound off, PENN Nation!

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/19/2017.