Joe Silva's Shoes: What's next for UFC 188's winning fighters?

Andrei Arlovski

(ALSO SEE: Joe Silva’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 188’s losing fighters?)

UFC 188 crowned the fourth first-time UFC champion of 2015.

In Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner at Mexico City Arena in Mexico, Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC) became the latest to join the new crop of UFC titleholders when he pulled off another upset with a third-round submission victory over Cain Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) to win the organization’s heavyweight belt.

Werdum started his UFC journey in 2007. More than eight years later, the Brazilian finally hit the pinnacle of the sport. It’s an inspiring story for younger fighters such as Eddie Alvarez (26-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC), Kelvin Gastelum (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Yair Rodriguez (5-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Tecia Torres (6-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), who were all victorious on the undercard.

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 the winning fighters.

* * * *

Tecia Torres

Randa Markos

Should fight: Randa Markos
Why they should fight: One of the biggest upsets on “The Ultimate Fighter 20? took place in the opening fight of the season when Markos (5-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) shocked Torres to win a unanimous decision under the reality show’s exhibition0-fight rules.

Two UFC fights removed from the show, Torres is coming off a domination of Angela Hill while Markos is riding high after a win over Aisling Daly. Torres is ranked No. 5 in the women’s strawweight division, according to the official UFC rankings. Markos sits No. 6.

Markos’ “TUF 20? win doesn’t show up on her official record. She deserves the opportunity to correct that issue, especially if “The Tiny Tornado” is going to receive a higher ranking.

Torres and Markos are both working toward a title shot. A rematch in official UFC competition would help move the winner a step closer to the belt.

Yair Rodriguez

Chas Skelly

Should fight: Chas Skelly
Why they should fight: With his split-decision win over Charles Rosa in UFC 188’s “Fight of the Night,” Rodriguez improved to 2-0 in the UFC and stirred discussion about whether he can be a breakout star in the featherweight division.

If his entertaining three rounds of work against Rosa are any indication, he, as UFC commentator Joe Rogan aptly put it post-fight, has the potential to be “something special” down the line.

Rodriguez is just 22 and has only six pro fights. There’s no point in rushing him up the ladder against ranked competition and risk stunting his growth. There are plenty of fighters in the 145-pound division to match him against.

Skelly (14-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) was supposed to fight at UFC Fight Night 70 later this month but was forced out due to illness. Unless he’s sidelined for an extended time, a matchup with Rodriguez at the UFC’s November event in Mexico would line up well.

Kelvin Gastelum

Dong Hyun Kim

Should fight: Dong Hyun Kim
Why they should fight: Gastelum picked up a one-sided victory over Nate Marquardt in his forced return to the UFC middleweight division. He missed weight several times at welterweight, but he still wants his future to be in the 170-pound weight class.

The UFC has a history of giving fighters another chance in this type of situation. However, UFC President Dana White denied Gastelum’s plea to make the drop when he declared the fighter hasn’t done anything to “prove” he can make welterweight.

Gastelum seemed adamant that he’d do anything to fight again at 170 pounds. If he’s able to convince the UFC brass and get his wish, there’s no doubt he will get a top-tier opponent because that’s what he faced before he departed the weight class.

Kim (20-3-1 MMA, 11-3 UFC) is looking for an opponent when the UFC makes its debut in his native South Korea later this year. Gastelum could be a suitable foe. Both men have high finishing rates in recent years, and the matchup has the potential to end in any position at any time.

Eddie Alvarez

Benson Henderson

Should fight: Benson Henderson
Why they should fight: Speaking of the UFC’s debut event in South Korea on Nov. 28, another fighter who needs a dance partner on that card is Henderson (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC). The former UFC champ was already scheduled to fight Alvarez in January, so there’s no reason why the fight can’t come together again.

Alvarez earned arguably the most important victory of his career when he topped Gilbert Melendez by split decision for his first UFC win.

The former Bellator MMA champion was booked to fight Henderson at UFC Fight Night 59 in January, but he was forced to withdraw from the event to tend to a medical complication with his newborn daughter. Donald Cerrone replaced him on the card and took a split decision from Henderson.

“Smooth” rebounded with a win over Brandon Thatch in February, but he’s said he won’t compete again until the end of the year because of an injury.

Alvarez vs. Henderson has all the ingredients to be an all-action affair. It would be the perfect way to introduce the UFC product to a new market in South Korea.

Fabricio Werdum

Andrei Arlovski

Should fight: Andrei Arlovski
Why they should fight: Following Werdum’s shocking title-winning upset over Velasquez, the UFC heavyweight division is arguably more interesting than it’s been in several years.

For the first time in a long time, the division has several viable challengers. All the potential candidates have grounds for a claim at UFC gold, but there’s just one vacancy in the No. 1 contender spot.

The possibility of an immediate rematch with Velasquez exists for Werdum. However, his victory was so thorough that there’s little reasoning for a second bout until the now-ex-champ gets back in the win column.

Junior Dos Santos is another fighter with a strong case. He pulled off his own stunning upset in his UFC debut in October 2008 when he entered the organization as an unknown and proceeded to knock out Werdum in 80 seconds flat. A rematch nearly seven years after that UFC 90 contest would make for a compelling storyline.

Stipe Miocic is also in the discussion for a title shot. He’s won four of his past five bouts, the most recent of which was an utter mauling of Mark Hunt.

However, Arlovski (24-10 MMA, 13-4 UFC) is arguably the most marketable candidate to challenge the new champion. “The Pitbull” is in the midst of a surprising career resurgence in which he’s won his past five fights, three under the UFC banner.

The former UFC heavyweight champion has a ton of momentum following his first-round knockout of Travis Browne at UFC 187 this past month. It’s time to capitalize on the momentum with a title shot.

For more on UFC 188, check out the UFC Events section of the site.