Sean Shelby's Shoes: What's next for Daniel Cormier and UFC 210's other winning fighters?

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for UFC 210’s losing fighters?)

UFC 210 marked the organization’s return to Buffalo, N.Y., after more than 20 years, and all eyes were on light-heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and challenger Anthony Johnson, who had their long-awaited rematch in the main event.

Cormier (19-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) delivered one of the better performances of his career, dominating Johnson (22-6 MMA, 13-6 UFC) en route a second-round submission win that sent “Rumble” into retirement from the sport.

Prior to Cormier’s successful title defense, four notable fighters earned victories as Gegard Mousasi (42-6-2 MMA, 9-3 UFC), Cynthia Calvillo (5-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), Thiago Alves (22-11 MMA, 14-8 UFC) and Charles Oliveira (22-7 MMA, 10-7 UFC) defeated their opponents.

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 210’s winning fighters.

* * * *

Charles Oliveira

Michael Johnson

Should fight: Michael Johnson
Why they should fight: An overdue return to the UFC lightweight division paid off for Oliveira when he earned a first-round submission victory over former Bellator champ Will Brooks.

After missing weight at featherweight on several occasions, Oliveira’s first official fight at 155 pounds since August 2011 went in his favor, and considering he beat a solid talent in Brooks, there’s no question he should remain in the division going forward, even if he insists 145 pounds is where he wants to compete.

The lightweight division has evolved plenty since Oliveira was last in the mix, and there are some interesting and potential fights. A matchup with Johnson (17-11 MMA, 9-7 UFC) is one, mainly because “The Menace” represents such a stark stylistic contrast to Oliveira.

Although Johnson is in a 1-3 slump, he’s still a viable part of the UFC lightweight division, and a fight with Oliveira is competitive at this stage in their careers.

Thiago Alves

Jake Ellenberger

Should fight: Winner of Jake Ellenberger vs. Mike Perry at UFC Fight Night 108
Why they should fight: Alves rebounded from a failed attempt to move down to lightweight and his UFC 205 loss to Jim Miller when he earned a unanimous-decision victory over fellow former UFC title challenger and longtime octagon veteran Patrick Cote.

“The Pitbull” has been around the UFC scene for more than 11 years and has done plenty of solid work in that time. His run over the past six years has been inconsistent at best, though, and while Alves is still far from earning title-fight consideration like he did against Georges St-Pierre in 2009, he’s still a serviceable and exciting member of the UFC welterweight division.

Alves can be paired up with any number of names in his weight class, but the winner of the April 22 matchup at UFC Fight Night 108 between Ellenberger (31-12 MMA, 10-8 UFC) and Perry (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) would be particularly attractive.

Alves and Ellenberger have been around the organization together for more than seven years but have somehow never crossed paths. And as far as Perry, he’s quickly made a name for himself under the UFC banner. If he can get past “The Juggernaut,” a matchup with Alves is realistic.

Cynthia Calvillo

Alex Chambers

Should fight: Alex Chambers
Why they should fight: Calvillo became the first fighter since Tito Ortiz in 2011 to compete on back-to-back UFC pay-per-view cards, but unlike the UFC Hall of Famer, the Team Alpha Male prospect went 2-0 in those fights with a third-round submission victory over Pearl Gonzalez.

Calvillo earned her second octagon victory in a 35-day span when she denied UFC newcomer Gonzalez of a successful promotional debut and added to her status as one of the top up-and-comers to watch in the strawweight division.

Despite her early UFC success, Calvillo has been a pro MMA fighter for less than nine months and needs more seasoning regardless of her big-stage wins. Calvillo will need a tougher test if she really wants to turn heads, and someone with a more prove track record such as Chambers (5-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) would be a good test of her ability.

Gegard Mousasi

Chris Weidman and Gegard Mousasi

Should fight: Chris Weidman
Why they should fight: Mousasi spent much of the past year pleading for the UFC to give him a fight like Weidman. He beat the former UFC champion by second-round TKO, but controversy around the finish of the fight took some of the luster away.

Nevertheless, “The Dreamcatcher” has won five consecutive fights, and with each performance, he comes closer to fulfilling the potential many saw in him years ago while he thrived under the Strikeforce and DREAM banners. Mousasi is closer than ever to fighting for UFC gold, but given the state of the 185-pound division, it doesn’t seem realistic for him to get a title shot just yet.

Middleweight champ Michael Bisping is scheduled to defend his belt against Georges St-Pierre at some point this year, and after that, top contender Yoel Romero is waiting for a crack at the belt. The winner of next month’s UFC on FOX 24 matchup between Ronaldo Souza and Robert Whittaker is near the top of the queue, as well.

Romero would be a perfect matchup for Mousasi if it could happen, but as of now, “The Soldier of God” is opting to wait to fight for the belt. That forces Mousasi to look elsewhere, and whether he likes it or not, a rematch with Weidman (13-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) might be the best course of action.

Although Mousasi didn’t seem particularly thrilled about a second fight against Weidman, he did reveal he would be open to if it that’s what the UFC wants. It makes sense given the landscape of the division, but overshadowing it all is the fact the vet is now entering free agency.

Mousasi might very well be done as a UFC fighter, but given his own statements, as well as those from UFC President Dana White, staying put seems to be the most probable outcome. If that’s indeed the case, a rematch with Weidman is hardly farfetched.

Daniel Cormier

Should fight: Jon Jones
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Cormier should rematch Jones (22-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) next in his third UFC light heavyweight title defense.

For complete coverage of UFC 210, check out the UFC Events section of the site.