Joe Silva’s Shoes: What's next for Rafael dos Anjos, UFC on FOX 17's other winning fighters?

UFC on FOX 17 took place Saturday at Orlando, Fla.”s Amway Center, and the four-fight main card featured two decisive finishes and two entertaining decisions.

The UFC’s 17th network-televised event saw champion Rafael dos Anjos (25-7 MMA, 14-5 UFC) retain his lightweight belt when he defeated Donald Cerrone (28-7 MMA, 15-4 UFC) for a second time.

In the co-main event, Alistair Overeem (40-14 MMA, 5-3 UFC) strengthened his case for a heavyweight title shot with a second-round TKO of former champ Junior Dos Santos (17-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC)

To round out the main card, Nate Diaz (18-10 MMA, 13-8 UFC) and Karolina Kowalkiewicz (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) scored impressive victories over their respective opponents.

After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next. And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Joe Silva and Sean Shelby’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC on FOX 17’s winning fighters.

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Karolina Kowalkiewicz

Carla Esparza

Should fight: Carla Esparza
Why they should fight: Another Polish striker made a big splash in the strawweight division when Kowalkiewicz topped highly regarded Randa Markos by unanimous decision in her octagon debut.

Like 115-pound champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Kowalkiewicz is undefeated and comes from a striking background. She showed off her skills on the feet and on the ground against Markos, and in one performance, she became an immediate factor in the weight class.

Kowalkiewicz appears to have the potential to be a real contender, and a matchup with ex-champ Esparza would show exactly where she stacks up. Esparza has been out of action since she lost the title at UFC 185 in March and will be in need of an opponent when she returns. Kowalkiewicz may not be a particularly high-profile matchup for Esparza coming off the title loss, but it’s a fight in which she would likely be the favorite and have a chance to get back on track.

Nate Diaz

Anthony Pettis

Should fight: Winner of Anthony Pettis vs. Eddie Alvarez at UFC Fight Night 81
Why they should fight: Although Diaz called out Conor McGregor in an expletive-ridden rant following his upset of Michael Johnson, it’s unlikely to get that fight.

Diaz turned in arguably the best performance of his UFC career with a unanimous decision win over “The Menace” and put himself in line for another significant matchup in the lightweight division.

Since McGregor may be reaching too far, the winner of the UFC Fight Night 81 bout between Anthony Pettis (18-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) and Eddie Alvarez (26-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) isn’t, however. Either fight would make for a riveting showdown with Diaz, but a fight with Pettis especially has been brewing for some time.

Diaz said he needs motivation in the form of big fights, and outside of a bout with McGregor or champion dos Anjos, it doesn’t get much bigger than Pettis or Alvarez.

Alistair Overeem

Fabricio Werdum

Should fight: Winner of Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez at UFC 196
Why they should fight: Overeem bet big on himself and won when he opted to fight out the last bout on his current UFC contract. He scored a second-round TKO victory over Dos Santos, and “The Reem” has put himself in a lucrative position going forward.

Depending on Overeem’s goals, his future could go a number of ways. He’s closer than ever to reaching a UFC title shot, but it’s possible another suitor may make an offer the UFC isn’t willing to match.

In the event he does re-sign with the UFC, Overeem should get the title shot he’s been seeking. He stopped Dos Santos faster than anyone else, and though the fight had large lulls with no action, the end result is meaningful.

Overeem already holds a victory over current heavyweight champ Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC), and another fight would be interesting given Werdum’s evolution over the past several years. If Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) takes back the title at UFC 196 in February, though, a fight with Overeem would mark a fresh championship matchup.

Rafael dos Anjos

Should fight: Tony Ferguson or Conor McGregor
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why dos Anjos should fight McGregor (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) or Ferguson (20-3 MMA, 10-1 UFC).

For complete coverage of UFC on FOX 17, check out the UFC Events section of the site.