John Dodson wants Thomas Almeida in his bantamweight return

John Dodson doesn't have an opponent lined up for his return to bantamweight.

But he's got one in mind.

MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani reported on Wednesday's edition of UFC Tonight that Dodson's manager, Ricky Kottenstette, has asked for a fight with undefeated up-and-comer Thomas Almeida. Kottenstette indicated they've yet to get a reply to their request.

Dodson, a Jackson's MMA fighter, won The Ultimate Fighter 14 as a bantamweight, knocking out current UFC champion. TJ Dillashaw to win the tourney.

Dodson then competed at flyweight, where he went 5-2, with both losses coming to champion Demetrious Johnson. Dodson announced his return to 135 following his second loss to Johnson at UFC 191.

Almeida (20-0), meanwhile, has a growing buzz as the potential next breakthrough Brazilian MMA star. Almeida scored a nasty knockout of Anthony Birchak over the weekend at UFC Fight Night 77, the 16th knockout win of his career.