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Joe Silva’s Shoes: What's next for Ronda Rousey and UFC 193’s other losing fighters?


(ALSO SEE: Joe Silva’s Shoes: What’s next for Holly Holm and UFC 193’s other winning fighters?)

Although five fighters came out on the losing end on Saturday’s UFC 193’s pay-per-view main card, no one experienced a more difficult defeat than now-ex-UFC champ Ronda Rousey, whom Holly Holm knocked out cold.

Rousey (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) dropped the 135-pound title to Holm (10-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in memorable fashion and is now forced to recover from the first loss of her career.

Valerie Letourneau (8-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) also came up short in a title fight. She dropped a unanimous decision to 115-pound champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) that will force her back to the drawing board if she hopes for another shot at UFC gold.

The title fight losers were the only ones to experience disappointment. Antonio Silva (19-8-1 MMA, 3-5-1 UFC), Uriah Hall (12-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) and Stefan Struve (26-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) also came up short against their respective opponents.

After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters 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 193’s losing fighters.

* * * *

Uriah Hall

Derek Brunson

Derek Brunson

Should fight: Derek Brunson
Why they should fight: Although he suffered a loss, Hall must be commended for his willingness to compete in three UFC bouts in a 96-day span. Hall defeated Gegard Mousasi in September to up his stock and had little to gain in facing a dangerous prospect in Whittaker.

“Primetime” didn’t get the win, but he delivered an entertaining fight and fell just short in a unanimous-decision loss. He deserves another name fighter in the middleweight division, and Brunson (14-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is exactly that.

Antonio Silva and Stefan Struve

Stefan Struve

Stefan Struve

Should fight: Each other
Why they should fight: Silva and Struve both expressed interest in a fight with each other earlier this year. It didn’t come to fruition, but now that they’re both coming off losses at the same event, the time could be right to book the matchup.

Silva suffered a first-round knockout loss in his rematch with Mark Hunt. He’s recorded just one victory in his past five bouts and is in need of some momentum. Struve took far less damage in his unanimous-decision loss to Jared Rosholt, but he’s still in a slump.

“The Skyscraper” has lost three of his past four bouts and holds just one victory over an active UFC competitor. Struve needs to rediscover the stride that once saw him win four straight in the octagon, and a similarly desperate “Bigfoot” could afford him the opportunity to do just that.

Valerie Letourneau

Joanne Calderwood

Joanne Calderwood

Should fight: Joanne Calderwood
Why they should fight: Letourneau surpassed expectations and delivered a valiant effort in her unanimous-decision loss to strawweight champ Jedrzejczyk.

The Canadian may have come up short, but she gave Jedrzejczyk her toughest fight as champion and may not be as far off from the top of the weight class as most believed.

Letourneau will have to go to the back of the line, but her stock rose in defeat, and she’s likely to get another big fight after falling short in a title fight. The extent of the damage to her eye will play a big impact on when she returns to competition, but whenever she’s ready, Calderwood (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is ranked and a noteworthy opponent for “Trouble” to face in her rebound bout.

Ronda Rousey

Should fight: Holly Holm
Why they should fight: Watch the video above for an explanation why Rousey should rematch Holm following the first loss of her career.

For complete coverage of UFC 193, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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