Sean Shelby's shoes: What's next for Yoel Romero and UFC 213's other losing fighters?

UFC 213 took place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with a five-fight main card on pay-pay-per-view.

Yoel Romero (12-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) fell short of the interim UFC middleweight title in the headliner when he suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Robert Whittaker (19-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC) to experience the first blemish on his previously unbeaten UFC career.

Some other fighters suffered notable losses, as well, with Fabricio Werdum (21-7-1 MMA, 9-4 UFC), Daniel Omielanczuk (19-8-1 MMA, 4-5 UFC) and Jim Miller (28-10 MMA, 17-9 UFC) falling short on the scorecards, while Douglas Silva de Andrade (24-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) was stopped inside the distance.

After every event, fans wonder whom the losing fighters 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 213’s key losing fighters.

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Jim Miller

Should fight: Abel Trujillo
Why they should fight: Although Miller fell short against a former UFC champion in Anthony Pettis, there’s no taking away from his status as one of the most decorated names in UFC history who should keep a place on the roster as long as he sees fit.

Miller tied the record for most appearances in UFC history in the unanimous-decision loss to Pettis. He was once considered a contender, but at this point in his career his position on the roster is fairly clear, and he should be allowed that position until he either completely falls off the map or retires.

Miller has almost exclusively lost to top tier opponents. A step back is necessary if he wants to keep his career in a safe position, and Trujillo (15-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is just that. Although Trujillo is not an easy fight, he’s winnable for Miller and also a name which would not be viewed as a write-off.

Daniel Omielanczuk

Should fight: Winner of James Mulheron vs. Justin Willis at UFC Fight Night 113
Why they should fight: Omielanczuk was pegged as the biggest betting underdog on the card and unfortunately that rang true when he fell short against Curtis Blaydes in a heavyweight fight.

Omielanczuk suffered a unanimous-decision loss to fall under .500 over the course of his nine-fight UFC career. He’ll need to go back to drawing board, but his hope of keeping a UFC roster spot is not yet lost.

A win for Omielanczuk would have potentially pushed him into top 15 matchups in the heavyweight division. The loss keeps him paired against fighters of a similar stature, though, and the winner of the July 15 fight between Mulheron (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Willis (4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 113 would be right in his wheelhouse.

Fabricio Werdum

Should fight: Loser of Junior Dos Santos vs. Francis Ngannou at UFC 215
Why they should fight: Werdum’s chance to break back into heavyweight title contention was harshly derailed with a majority-decision loss in his trilogy fight with Alistair Overeem.

With his 40th birthday rapidly approaching, it’s difficult to gauge whether the Brazilian will be eager to make another run in the division. The upside is that he’s a former champion, has a name and could be just a few wins and a couple good breaks from becoming a pertinent contender again.

Werdum needs to beat a key name, though, and the loser of September’s UFC 215 bout between Dos Santos (18-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) and Ngannou (10-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) would be a solid target.

Werdum has history with Dos Santos after he suffered a stunning knockout loss to the then-UFC newcomer in 2008. The rematch has been long in the making and frankly should have already been done. If Ngannou comes up short, however, a showdown with Werdum would be another big chance after the Frenchman’s first octagon defeat.

Yoel Romero

Should fight: Luke Rockhold
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Romero should fight Rockhold (15-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) next.

For complete coverage of UFC 213, check out the UFC Events section of the site.