Pedro Rizzo (19-9) is a long way removed from his unanimous-decision victory over Ricco Rodriguez at UFC 45 in November 2003.
That was the last time he competed inside the octagon. If Rizzo has anything to say about it, it won't be his final time either.
On a comeback of sorts, a return to the sport's pinnacle has officially become the endgame for Rizzo.
He is actively seeking the proverbial icing on the cake in a professional career that checks in at right around 15 years in length.
The only problem is taking the necessary steps to position himself correctly for a potential return.
While skeptics claim he's no longer UFC-caliber, that he's battered and bruised from years of combat, Rizzo believes Father Time has yet to pass him by.
"I'm not that old," he recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "Everybody thinks I'm 40 because, as I always say, there was the 'middle time.' It was Royce Gracie, Marco Ruas, and after that came the new guys (like me) in the middle.
"I fought with (Mark) Coleman, all these guys, and now they are older than me. I fought with Dan Severn, but I was very, very young then. People don't understand. They think I'm the same age as these guys. I'm still 36."
"The Rock" currently is riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Jeff Monson, Gary Goodridge and Ken Shamrock.
His resume has started to snowball to a certain degree. The hope is at some point it will galvanize UFC management.
Currently, Rizzo does not have anything on his plate in the foreseeable future with the UFC nor any other fight promotion.
For now, training occupies his days.
"I go everywhere," said Rizzo, referring to his native country of Brazil. "Wherever I can find good training, I will go there. I am always looking for the best training."
He still considers Nova Uniao's Andre Pederneiras his head trainer despite the fact that he's in constant motion.
He trains in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro in Tijuca. He travels to train with the Nogueira brothers periodically. He will also frequent Anderson Silva's camp in Barra da Tijuca at X-Gym.
If you own a gym in Brazil these days, chances are you likely will cross paths with Rizzo at some point.
"I'm training with good guys," he said. "My main training partner is Glover Teixeira. He used to be a main training partner for Chuck Liddell. He's living in Brazil. He trains with me every day."
The impetus for his nomad-like training is simple: seek out the best trainers and training partners one can find and reap the benefits.
Furthermore, his frequent interaction with quality fighters provides a daily litmus test for him to use as a gauge during periods of self-reflection.
"Maybe I have five, six, seven more fights," Rizzo said. "I want to do my best. I want to step in the ring and have a big battle, a big war, exchange blows. It doesn't matter what happens. I will knock people out, or I will be knocked out. We'll see."
Whether it means he'll take his fighting style back to the UFC or somewhere else next remains to be seen.
"I really want to finish my career in the UFC," Rizzo said. "It is kind of a dream for me. I think I am still able to fight with the top guys.
"It would be a dream to finish my career in the UFC. I don't know if it will be possible, but I'm doing my part. I'm training every day. I am keeping in shape and training hard. That is what I have to do."
With the UFC scheduled to visit HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 27, there is always a small chance he could get his wish.
"When they call me, I'll be ready."
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Check out more UFC News at MMAjunkie.com. This story originally appeared on MMAjunkie.com and is syndicated on Yahoo! Sports as part of a content-partnership deal between the two sites.