UFC Matchmaker: What's next for Amanda Nunes, Cody Garbrandt and UFC 207's other winning fighters?

(ALSO SEE: UFC Matchmaker: What’s next for UFC 207’s losing fighters?)

The final UFC event of the year delivered in a big way. UFC 207 closed the organization’s 2016 fight schedule in memorable fashion with some significant results at Friday’s card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Amanda Nunes (14-4 MMA, 7-1 UFC) solidified her status as the best women’s bantamweight fighter in the world when she defended her belt for the first time with a devastating 48-second TKO of former longtime champion Ronda Rousey (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC).

Nunes’ performance only slightly exceeded that of Cody Garbrandt (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), who delivered on his promise of becoming UFC bantamweight champion when he took the title from Dominick Cruz (22-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) with a brilliant performance that led to a unanimous decision win.

Prior to the two championship fights, T.J. Dillashaw (14-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) strengthened his own case for a title shot in the 135-pound division, Dong Hyun Kim (22-3-1 MMA, 13-3 UFC) extended his winning streak and prospect Ray Borg (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) earned an important victory in his young career.

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 Sean Shelby and Mick Maynard’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker for UFC 207’s winning fighters.

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Ray Borg

Dustin Ortiz

Should fight: Dustin Ortiz
Why they should fight: Despite missing weight, Borg turned in a solid performance and defeated Louis Smolka by unanimous decision in the pay-per-view opener.

Borg admitted he botched his weight cut and that’s why he came in 3.5 pounds overweight, but promised the issue issue won’t persist as he attempts to climb the rankings in the flyweight division.

At 23, Borg has a bright future if he can stay on track. He’s vowed to do so, and the UFC should give him to make good on his word against a high-caliber opponent. Ortiz (16-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has had his own ups and downs at 125 pounds, but he has been in the octagon with some of the best his well-rounded skill set and would be a tough challenge for the youngster Borg.

Dong Hyun Kim

Should fight: Gunnar Nelson
Why they should fight: Kim made a successful return from a more than yearlong layoff from competition when he topped former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine by split decision to extend his winning streak to three and achieve his 13th triumphant octagon performance.

Kim has long been one of the top-ranked welterweight fighters in the UFC but has never broken through to the highest echelon. He’s nearing another opportunity to do that, but needs to win fights more convincingly than he did against Saffiedine.

“Stun Gun” was originally matched up in a fight against Nelson (15-2-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC) for the UFC Fight Night 99 headliner in November, but it fell apart when the Icelandic fighter suffered an injury. That matchup of grappling-based competitors had a lot of potential to be a compelling bout, so it makes sense to go back to it once again.

Cody Garbrandt & T.J. Dillashaw

Should fight: Each other
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Garbrandt and Dillashaw should fight for the UFC bantamweight title after their respective victories.

Amanda Nunes

Should fight: Winner of Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena at UFC on FOX 23
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Nunes should fight the winner of UFC on FOX 23’s main event between Shevchenko (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Pena (8-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in her second title defense.

For complete coverage of UFC 207, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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