Joe Silva’s Shoes: What’s next for The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale winners?

The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale is in the books, and the conclusion to the latest season of the long-running reality series was underwhelming at best.

Nate Diaz (17-9 MMA, 12-7 UFC) and Gray Maynard (11-3-1 MMA, 9-3-1 UFC) put a bow on their trilogy in the evening’s main event with Diaz emerging victorious by spectacular first-round TKO to get the victory and put his competitive relationship with “The Bully” to a permanent end.

Julianna Pena (5-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Chris Holdsworth (5-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) defeated their respective opponents to their “TUF 18? tournaments and now join the exclusive list of fighters to run the tournament-style gauntlet.

Also on the main card, “TUF 18? cast members Jessamyn Duke (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Raquel Pennington (4-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) racked up victories to secure a place on the UFC roster for at least one more fight.

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.

RAQUEL PENNINGTON
Should fight: Shayna Bayzler
Why they should fight: Pennington earned a decision victory over Roxanne Modafferi (16-11 MMA, 0-1 UFC) on the TUF 18 Finale main-card opener on FOX Sports 1 to keep her UFC career alive.

UFC matchmakers normally pair a non-”TUF” winner against someone from her respective season. Considering all eight women from the latest season get at least one UFC fight, there are plenty of matchups available.

Baszler (15-8 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was considered one of the favorites to win the show, but after being eliminated, she was also unable to compete at the finale due to an injury.

Even though the season has come to end, the “tournament” of “TUF 18? goes on, and the fighters who didn’t win the show will weed each other out until only the best of the best remain.

JESSAMYNE DUKE
Should fight: Sarah Moras
Why they should fight: In a situation similar to Pennington’s, it makes sense to pair Duke against Moras (3-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) once she recovers from an injury. This further separates the contenders from the pretenders on the first female “TUF” cast.

JULIANNA PENA
Should fight: UFC newcomer
Why they should fight: Pena looked very strong in her knockout win over Jessica Rakoczy (1-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) to become the first female “TUF” champion.

Typically, “TUF” winners receive a fairly winnable fight coming off the finale, and there’s no reason that would change now, especially considering how much potential the 24-year-old seems to have.

With that said, the UFC should sign a fresh face to take on Pena for her first post-”TUF” bout.

By no means should her next fight be a squash match, but considering the UFC just invested 13 weeks of television into the American, it would only seem logical for the organization to capitalize on the buzz and throw some favorable matchups her way and let her develop for at least a couple fights.

Should the free-agent market be barren of suitable 135-pounders, there are a few women at the bottom of the division who could make for a solid scrap.

Some are insisting Pena jump right into the shark tank against elite competition, but she is still very young in the sport and should be brought along at a reasonable pace.

CHRIS HOLDSWORTH
Should fight: UFC newcomer
Why they should fight: See above

NATE DIAZ
Should fight: Rafael dos Anjos
Why they should fight: Diaz defeated the always-tough Maynard in thrilling fashion in the main event of the TUF 18 Finale.

The victory was not one that will give Diaz an immediate UFC title shot. However, it was good enough to keep him in position to continue fighting against top 10 lightweights.

Unfortunately for Diaz, most of the top fighters at 155 pounds are currently booked for fights, injured or have already squared off with the Stockton slugger.

One man who hasn’t crossed paths and is streaking in the division, though, is Brazilian dos Anjos (20-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC).
Both fighters are riding high after their most recent wins and are considered among the best fighters in the division.

Dos Anjos has had problems with pressure fighters before, and Diaz is the cream of the crop when it comes to that category. It would also be interesting to see how dos Anjos deals with the height, length and diverse striking ability of Diaz.

As for Diaz, bringing an end to dos Anjos’ five-fight winning streak would be a significant moment in his career and place him in the conversation with other contenders for Anthony Pettis’ belt.

For complete coverage of the TUF 18 Finale, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.

(Pictured: Chris Holdsworth)