Every Monday after an MMA fight weekend, The Post’s Marc Raimondi will take a look at the next potential matchup for the fighters who competed.
This week, he breaks down the competitors from Saturday’s UFC on Fuel TV 8: Silva vs. Stann.
WANDERLEI SILVA (def. Brian Stann via second-round KO)
I don’t know if Silva will stay at light heavyweight after looking good in beating Stann on Saturday night or drop back down to middleweight, where he was 2-2 over the last three years. Either place, there are interesting fights for him. The other option is retirement, but Silva isn’t the kind of guy to call it quits after such an incredible fight.
Silva, 36, can probably make more money at 205 pounds, because there are bigger names on the downside of their career there, kind of like him. A matchup with Forrest Griffin would be a lot of fun. Neither guy is in title contention, but both guys enjoy putting on shows for the fans.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Forrest Griffin
BRIAN STANN (lost to Wanderlei Silva via second-round KO)
Stann made it clear to me last week that fighting at light heavyweight against Silva was a one-shot deal and he’d be moving down to middleweight as soon as the fight was complete. Smart move, because that’s always been a better weight class for him. I’d love to see him face Rich Franklin next. Losing to Silva wasn’t terrible for Stann, because the fight was outstanding. But it’s clear now that he can no longer be considered a contender at 185, much like Franklin.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Rich Franklin
MARK HUNT (def. Stefan Struve via third-round TKO)
There is one fight that makes the most sense for Hunt and that’s against Roy “Big Country” Nelson. With the large guts on both men, it’ll bring back memories of the days of Tank Abbott and questionable fitness. Both Hunt and Nelson can throw down, though. It’ll be one hell of a fight and the winner might earn a title shot at heavyweight. Nelson has to beat Cheick Kongo at UFC 159 on April 27 in Newark first to make it happen.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Roy Nelson
STEFAN STRUVE (lost to Mark Hunt via third-round TKO)
Struve tweeted a picture of the X-ray of his broken jaw Sunday. Hunt put a serious hurting on the 7-footers face. Until Struve learns better technique striking, he’s never going to reach his considerable potential. It’s time for another slide down the rankings and a fight with someone like Ben Rothwell, who Struve should destroy. Should being the apt word.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Ben Rothwell
DIEGO SANCHEZ (def. Takanori Gomi via split decision)
Sanchez called out Nate Diaz after beating Gomi in a controversial split decision. Be careful what you wish for Diego. Normally, you don’t want to give a Diaz brother any needed motivation. That is a fight that makes sense, though, provided Nate beats Josh Thomson next month. If he does, Diaz-Sanchez would be awesome.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Nate Diaz-Josh Thomson winner
YUSHIN OKAMI (def. Hector Lombard via unanimous decision)
When UFC matchmaker Joe Silva calls middleweights and offers them a fight with Okami, their phones suddenly develop static. “Joe? Joe, are you there?” Click. No one wants to see Okami across the Octagon from them, because he’s just physically dominant and suffocating. He takes away everything you want to do. Still, someone has to face him and he remains near the top of the 185-pound division. The winner of Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping at UFC 159 in Newark on April 27 makes sense.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Alan Belcher-Michael Bisping winner
HECTOR LOMBARD (lost to Yushin Okami via unanimous decision)
Lombard talked crap about Mark Munoz before his first UFC fight against Tim Boetsch. It only makes sense to put the two together now since both are coming off losses. That would be a very intriguing clash of styles – Lombard’s power and judo vs. Munoz’s wrestling and ground and pound.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Mark Munoz
DONG HYUN KIM (def. Siyar Bahadurzada via unanimous decision)
Kim is the middleweight, Korean version of Okami. His grappling is stellar and he’s so, so strong. He was even more aggressive against Bahadurzada, especially when he got into mount and started raining down blows. Kim is arguably a top-five welterweight. He needs a contender next. My pick is Rory MacDonald. Let’s see what MacDonald is made of with this stylistic nightmare.
Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Rory MacDonald
mraimondi@nypost.com
