HALIFAX -- Mitch Gagnon may want to check his opponent's ID when he steps into the cage Saturday night on a televised UFC card.

The 29-year-old bantamweight from Sudbury, Ont., is on his third opponent, with Roman (El Gallito) Salazar stepping in this week for Rob Font, who had replaced Aljamain Sterling.

"It's part of the fight game," Gagnon said philosophically of the injury-related revolving door.

Salazar (9-2) is a 26-year-old Tucson cable technician making his UFC debut.

Gagnon (11-2) only found about his new opponent Monday but doesn't seem fazed. He says he's not big on game-plans.

"I'm just going to do me," he said. "I'm positive I'll be come coming out victorious on Saturday."

Gagnon, a prickly pocket rocket, has flown under the radar despite winning nine of his last 10 fights. He has won three straight since losing his UFC debut to Bryan Caraway via third-round submission at UFC 149 -- a defeat that nevertheless earned him a US$65,000 bonus for fight of the night.

The five-foot-five 135-pounder subsequently scored first-round submissions of Walel Watson and Dustin Kimura before winning a decision over Tim Gorman.

Gagnon's guillotine choke win over Kimura at UFC 165 in Toronto earned him a $50,000 bonus for submission of the night.

That fight showed Gagnon's heart. He was hurt by a Kimura body shot but promptly took his opponent down. After escaping a heel hook, he hurt Kimura from top position.

The fight ended when Kimura passed out from a guillotine choke after Gagnon stuffed a takedown attempt.

He gave up six inches in height to Watson but floored him with a left and then locked in a rear-naked choke for a 69-second win at UFC 152.

Ten of Gagnon's 11 wins have come by submission, with six via guillotine choke. His cauliflower ears attest to an extensive grappling background.

"You don't get that ear playing tennis," UFC commentator Joe Rogan said dryly prior to the Kimura fight.

It was an impressive comeback for Gagnon, who sat out a year after the Watson fight due to knee surgery.

While focused on Salazar, Gagnon would like another shot at Caraway down the line.

"No excuses, he was the better man that day," Gagnon said. "I just feel like I've gotten better and he stayed the same."

Gagnon, a former wrestler who took up MMA training some seven years ago, spent two months training for this fight in the Toronto area, with the occasional visit of his fiancee from Sudbury.

He walks around at about 155 pounds, hitting 165 "if I let myself go a little bit." As of Wednesday he was 147 pounds, still eating big meals and drinking water.

"I'm doing everything right as far as the weight cut goes," he said. "I'm doing it as healthy as I can."