Nate Diaz believes he is in line for a lightweight title shot if he beats Jim Miller next weekend.

He told listeners on the pre-fight conference call this week that he had been informed that the fight was to serve as a lightweight title eliminator.

“That's what I was told was happening… I don't see who else would get a title shot,” the taciturn California man said when asked for his thoughts on the implication of the bout.

He and Miller headline UFC on FOX 3 takes place at IZOD Center in New Jersey next Saturday.

Miller has a 10-2 UFC record with losses to current champion Ben Henderson (a contender elimination match itself) and two-time title challenger Gray Maynard.

Diaz is 2-0 since he returned to lightweight after an ill-advised welterweight run, taking out former Pride FC champion Takanori Gomi and the soaring Donald Cerrone.

The UFC not officially confirmed that next week’s fight is a title eliminator.