Donald Cerrone doesn't spend much time thinking about UFC title shots -- he spends no time thinking about them, actually -- but he at least knows one when he sees one.

And headed into a much-anticipated lightweight bout against Eddie Alvarez at UFC 178 next weekend in Las Vegas, Cerrone (24-6) is starting to see a title shot. "Cowboy" has won (and finished) his past four fights.

Cerrone, 31, is known for his desire to fight as much as possible, with the shortest break possible in between. Usually, title shots in the UFC change things, though. Should Cerrone get past Alvarez, it's reasonable to think he might take a minute off, cheat a day on his diet and gear up for the winner of a UFC lightweight title fight between Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez on Dec. 6.

That's not Cerrone, though.

"If I beat Eddie Alvarez, do I get a No. 1 contender spot? More than likely," Cerrone told ESPN.com. "Especially if I finish Eddie, the UFC is probably going to give me a title shot.

"Now, Pettis and Melendez don't fight until December -- which means they won't be ready to defend their belt until March or April. That is a long time away for a guy like me. I don't like to sit and wait, so what's probably going to happen is I'll take my No. 1 contender spot and throw it in to the air and take another fight. Is this a No. 1 contender fight? Yes. Will I wait for a title shot if I win? Probably not."

Cerrone knows his way of thinking is rare within the sport, but says it's not changing anytime soon. When asked why he would risk a shot at a UFC title by taking another fight, he responds, "because I don't give a s---."

"I just want to fight," Cerrone said. "That is my true, deep-hearted answer. I'm not going to be like [light heavyweight Alexander] Gustafsson. What did he say? He'd wait two years for a shot if he has to? What? No. Sorry. Pettis has had a year off. I don't know how these guys live or what they do but I can't do that. I'm going to fight and then I want to fight again December, January, February -- let's go. Bring them on."

The Gustafsson statement is in reference to a recent comment the Swedish fighter reportedly made when discussing the possibility of fighting for a title in Stockholm.

Whether the UFC would ask Cerrone to wait for his title shot or insert him immediately into another fight is unknown and things change constantly in the fight game. Cerrone remains unconcerned with the details. His focus is to do what he's been doing -- win a fight next weekend against Alvarez (25-3), a former Bellator MMA lightweight champion, get paid, throw his name back into the UFC hat and fight again as soon as possible.

"I feel like I'm at a high place in my career and it feels good but I'm not really concerned about that," Cerrone said. "I wish I could explain how I feel but I just don't give a s---. That is honestly my overall opinion.

"I'm excited to go in and fight. Other than that, thinking about my future, none of that matters to me. What I've got going on at the ranch, building my new gym, wakeboarding -- that's what matters to me. Fighting is just something I do and enjoy."