Whatever is next for lightweight prospect Raush Manfio will hopefully lead to one thing: an ability to pay his months.

Manfio (8-1) meets Matt Frevola (4-0) tonight at Titan FC 43, which streams on UFC Fight Pass from Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

Manfio, who has six knockouts in eight career wins, looks for his fifth straight victory overall and his third straight win with Titan FC. And if successful, he hopes it’ll lead to bigger – and, more specifically, better-paying – opportunities.

“If all goes well and I score another impressive victory, I see two possibilities: Either I fight for the Titan belt, or I’ll reach out to larger organizations,” he told MMAjunkie. “The UFC would be best, but ultimately I need money to afford my training camps. Titan has great visibility, but it’s not the best as far as pay. So I’m chasing after some sponsorships to make up the difference.

“Ultimately, I want to be in a promotion that allows me to pay my bills.”

Manfio, a 25-year-old Brazilian, recently moved to Florida, where he trains at American Top Team. For this fight, he’s worked closely with head trainer Conan Silveira, as well as striking coaches Katel Kubis and Kelson Pinto. He’s also shored up his wrestling game with ATT stablemates such as Marcos da Matta, Steve Mocco and Nathan Coy.

Still, he said, he plans to put his striking to use for tonight’s bout.

“While preparing for Matt Frevola, I focused more on my own qualities as opposed to his,” he said. “We saw that he has a good spinning kick, so we’re working to make sure I’m not caught by surprise. He’s an atypical striker. I expect to win by knockout yet again. I always plan to win my fights early so they never go to the judges.

“I have sufficient physical, technical and mental qualities to finish all my fights before the end of the third round. I’m confident in my strategy. I want to win by knockout.”

Manfio weighed 154.6 pounds during Friday’s weigh-ins, and a move down a weight class could conceivably be in his future. For now, though, he sees advantages to competing in his current division.

“I think I’m small for a lightweight, but I’m very strong and explosive,” he said. “I’ll use that to my benefit in this next fight too.”

For the latest on Titan FC 43, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.