"Royal" Ryan Reber dug deep to keep his perfect record intact on the weekend.

At BKFC 47 in Lakeland, FL on Friday, the St. Petersburg, FL bantamweight improved to 4-0 with a split decision over Travis Thompson after six back-and-forth rounds of action. The bout was judged a draw, then Reber edged his more experienced opponent in the sudden death sixth round.

Reber’s first three victories in the Squared Circle all came by stoppage, so he was disappointed he didn’t keep that trend alive with a fourth straight finish on Friday.

“I could’ve done a lot better, in my opinion,” Reber says. “The goal is always to finish my opponent, and I think maybe I could’ve done that on the weekend if I did a few things differently, but it is what it is. I got the job done, and it’s onto the next.”

Reber entered fight night as the No. 4 contender in BKFC’s bustling bantamweight division, and Thompson was the No. 2 contender. With the win, Reber assumed the No. 2 spot, and Thompson now rounds out the Top 3.

After his big jump up the rankings, Reber is hoping he’s done enough to earn a shot at BKFC World Bantamweight Champion Reggie “Educated Hands” Barnett Jr. (9-2).

“I don’t think that’s an easy fight, but I don’t think Reggie has that dog in him like Travis does. In his last couple fights, it seems like Reggie has always been looking for a way out. I think his days are numbered,” Reber says about a possible showdown with Barnett Jr., who currently sits No. 3 on the BKFC Pound-for-Pound rankings.

“He’s the champ, he’s accomplished so much, but I think his days are numbered, and I want to be the one to go in there and educate Reggie.”