After UFC Fight Night 106, theScore's Alexander K. Lee picks the matchups that should be made for the evening's biggest winners.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Luke Rockhold
With several of the division's top contenders booked to compete in April, there aren't many immediate options for Kelvin Gastelum to capitalize on his impressive win over Vitor Belfort in Saturday's main event.
Recap: Gastelum spoils Belfort's homecoming with 1st-round TKO
Post-fight, Gastelum called for a bout with Anderson Silva, but having already punched out one Brazilian legend, it's probably time for him to move on. If he seriously wants to advance up the middleweight ranks, that means butting heads with the glut of contenders waiting in line for a crack at Michael Bisping.
Former UFC champion Luke Rockhold is expected to return from injury in mid-2017, and he'd literally be a massive test for Gastelum, who only transitioned to 185 pounds due to difficulties with making the welterweight limit. So far, Gastelum has excelled in his new home, and a clash with the much larger Rockhold would help gauge his championship potential.
Mauricio Rua vs. Misha Cirkunov
Diehard "Shogun" fans might not want to see their hero thrown into the cage with young wolves, but at this point in his career, it's time for Mauricio Rua to do the honors and clash with the sport's up-and-coming fighters.
Rua showed flashes of his past greatness with a win over Gian Villante, and he still has the striking skills to make up for his diminished physical gifts. That makes him the perfect challenge for fast-rising light heavyweight Misha Cirkunov.
The 30-year-old Toronto-based fighter has impressed with finishes in each of his four UFC appearances, though questions remain about how advanced his game is. Cirkunov has all the tools to be the Octagon's next big star, and a signature battle with Shogun would boost his reputation, win or lose.
Edson Barboza vs. Michael Chiesa
As incredible as Edson Barboza's finishes are, he still needs to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot. That said, when it comes to sheer violence, there are few who do it better than Barboza, who showed it once again by ruining Beneil Dariush's day with a flying knee knockout.
Until the UFC sorts out the convoluted championship picture - created by Conor McGregor's absence and Khabib Nurmagomedov's inability to stay healthy - Barboza can bide his time with a fun scrap against fellow contender Michael Chiesa.
The "Ultimate Fighter 15" champ is as willing as any fighter to put on an entertaining brawl, while his grappling acumen would push Barboza out of his comfort zone. On the flip side, Chiesa could end up being added to Barboza's highlight reel, which is never a bad thing for fans.
Ray Borg vs. Joseph Benavidez
With all of the hype surrounding the top of the card, it was easy to miss that Ray Borg arguably picked up the biggest win of the night. "The Tazmexican Devil" outpointed Jussier Formiga to jump from fringe contender to a top-5 spot in the rankings.
Recap: Borg takes unanimous decision win in seesaw battle vs. Formiga
Up next for Borg should be a match with two-time flyweight title challenger Joseph Benavidez. The 32-year-old Benavidez has been the No. 2 man at 125 pounds for years, and with a third crack at UFC champion Demetrious Johnson perpetually out of reach, he may have no choice but to play the role of gatekeeper against the likes of Borg.
Kevin Lee vs. Evan Dunham
Nobody is sleeping on Kevin Lee anymore.
"The Motown Phenom" took out Francisco Trinaldo with a second-round submission on Saturday, his third straight finish and his fourth consecutive victory overall. He is unquestionably one of the most promising talents in the UFC's ocean-deep lightweight division.
Like Barboza, Lee must first wait for higher-ranked dominoes to fall, so the best he can hope for is another tough fight that keeps him active. Veteran Evan Dunham fits that bill.
The 35-year-old Dunham is in the midst of a surprising resurgence, with wins in his past four outings. He might not be the sexiest opponent, but this is the kind of resume-builder that will pay off for Lee in the future.
