Sean Loeffler: “If you’re not looking to fight the champion, then you don’t want to be the champion.”

Sean Loeffler wants to become the greatest UFC middleweight of all-time.

Loeffler, who is in his twelfth year as a professional mixed martial artist, had to pull out of his UFC debut earlier this month after suffering a nasty ankle sprain while warming up for his bout with Buddy Roberts at UFC on FUEL TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger.

Some may mistake Loeffler’s desire to be the greatest as a cocky attitude, but, by digging a little deeper, it’s easy to see that the 29-year-old has the same approach as everyone else in MMA.

“I’m looking to fight Anderson Silva,” said Loeffler in an exclusive interview with FindMMAGym. “I mean, when people ask me that question…if you’re not looking to fight the champion, then you don’t want to be the champion. So, I’m looking to build my resume, get my UFC experience up, get my fanfare up, and then fight the champ.”

“You don’t play in the NFL just to make it to the playoffs. You plan to win a Super Bowl and get into the hall of fame,” the 185er added.

As a member of The Compound MMA & Fitness Center in Oceanside, California, Loeffler knows first-hand what it takes to make it in this profession.  He also serves as the head MMA and grappling instructor at both The Compound MMA and South Bay Jiu-Jitsu in Hermosa Beach, California.

“I first started training true mixed martial arts all the way back in high school,” Loeffler said. “I pretty much didn’t have a lot of choices. I made some stupid choices when I was younger, and then I had a child, and I pretty much had to make a choice. It was pretty much be shot and killed, or get locked up in prison, or fight for a living; and I’m better at fighting. So, here I am in the UFC.”

Loeffler feels that those seeking a gym should first look for an experienced coach that well-rounded, adding, “You have to be comfortable there. It’s all about the environment. If you get the right vibe when you first walk in, you’re probably at the right place.”

No word has surfaced on when Loeffler will make his Octagon debut but clearly he’s one to keep an eye on with 24 finishes in 25 total victories and a solid winning streak to boot.