Joe Silva’s Shoes: What’s next for the UFC 167 winners?

“UFC 167: St-Pierre vs. Hendricks” was a seminal night for the UFC and celebrated the organization’s 20 anniversary. UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, the biggest star of the past decade, was placed in the main event opposite Johny Hendricks.

St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) held on to his championship belt with a split-decision win, but many feel Hendricks (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) should be the one carrying the 170-pound championship around his waist.

Nevertheless, the champion retained his title and added to his legacy as one of the most successful fighters in the sport’s short history.

In the co-main event, Rashad Evans (19-3-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) showed he still has the killer instinct that once made him a UFC light heavyweight champion with a first-round knockout of his friend and fellow FOX Sports analyst Chael Sonnen (29-14-1 MMA, 7-7 UFC).

Also on the main card, Robbie Lawler (22-9 MMA, 7-3 UFC) upset highly regarded Canadian welterweight Rory MacDonald (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Tyron Woodley (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) produced a “Knockout of the Year” candidate against 170-pounder Josh Koscheck (17-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC), and Ali Bagautinov (12-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) continued the momentum of Russian fighters in the UFC with a decision over flyweight Tim Elliott (10-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC).

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’s (and Sean Shelby’s) shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.

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ALI BAGAUTINOV
Should fight: Ian McCall
Why they should fight: Bagautinov has emerged as a dark-horse contender in the UFC flyweight division and remained undefeated in the UFC with a decision victory over Elliott.

After Saturday’s win, it’s time to find out where Bagautinov fits in the 125-pound title picture. A matchup with Ian McCall (12-4-1 MMA, 1-2-1 UFC) would help reveal that information.

If the Russian can get past “Uncle Creepy” when he recovers from his hand injury, then a fresh face could emerge to challenge the winner of champ Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez for the belt sometime next year.

TYRON WOODLEY
Should fight: Hector Lombard
Why they should fight: Woodley proved he has a legitimate future as a welterweight contender after defeating respected veteran Koscheck in sensational fashion.

Woodley thwarted an experienced vet with a devastating, highlight-reel knockout and made it clear he has what it takes to hang with the best.

“T-Wood” is much more than just a decorated wrestler, and if he continues to knock opponents silly like he did on Saturday, it won’t be long before he finds himself challenging for a belt.

Hector Lombard (33-4-1 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has also made recent waves in the welterweight division and would be the perfect test to see how far Woodley can go in the weight class.

The former Bellator champion knocked out Nate Marquardt in his 170-pound debut this past month and needs a real challenge in his new weight class. Woodley presents just that.

Booking this matchup may be trouble as both men train out of American Top Team in Florida, but fights between teammates are becoming a more frequent in MMA, meaning neither man should have any problem taking the fight.

ROBBIE LAWLER
Should fight: Winner of Carlos Condit vs. Matt Brown at UFC on FOX 9
Why they should fight: Lawler’s career resurgence is one of the year’s great MMA stories, and with three straight victories, the 13-year vet who made his UFC debut in 2002 is knocking on the door of the title shot that has eluded him for so long.

Since returning to the organization, Lawler has knocked out former title challenger Koscheck, nearly decapitated formidable journeyman Bobby Voelker, and outpointed consensus top 5 contender MacDonald via decision.

“Ruthless” is one of the most violent strikers in the sport and is capable of finishing opponents with a plethora of techniques. His experience at the highest level can be matched by few, and with one more win, Lawler should be fighting for the gold.

The winner of next month’s UFC on FOX 9 showdown between Condit (29-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Brown (18-11 MMA, 11-5 UFC) will have some serious momentum of their own, and a fight with Lawler could be pegged as a legitimate No. 1 contender’s affair.

RASHAD EVANS
Should fight: Daniel Cormier
Why they should fight: Evans has revived his career after many believed “Suga” was done as an elite fighter just a few months ago.

With back-to-back wins over Dan Henderson and Sonnen, the former light heavyweight champion is creeping back into title contention and his desired rematch with titleholder Jon Jones.

If he wants to get there, though, he’ll need at least one or two more significant victories, and with Cormier (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) looking for an opponent in his 205-pound debut, it seems the stars have aligned perfectly for an Evans vs. Cormier showdown.

In a similar situation to Evans and Sonnen, both men work together at FOX Sports, but Evans has already proven he can put that type of relationship aside when the cage door closes.

Cormier is searching for an opponent who will help him make waves in his 205-pound debut. There’s no better way to announce an arrival in a new weight class than taking out a former champion who is tied for the most victories in the history of the division.

GEORGES ST-PIERRE
Should fight: Johny Hendricks
Why they should fight: It’s pretty obvious after seeing UFC President Dana White and the rest of the MMA community react to St-Pierre’s split-decision win over Hendricks that an immediate rematch is in order.

White said following the event he believes Hendricks should have ended St-Pierre’s title reign and feels it is only fair to give “Bigg Rigg” a second fight with the longtime welterweight champion.

Historically St-Pierre has been willing to take on all comers, but in a twist that brought about many questions, “Rush” said he plans to take an extended period of time away from the sport.

How the entire situation is going to shake out is a mystery, but it’s obvious White wants to make the second fight as soon as possible, and more often than not, the desires of the UFC’s head honcho become a reality.

For complete coverage of UFC 167, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Rashad Evans)