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Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Justin Gaethje, UFC Lincoln’s other winning fighters?

A rather slow month for the UFC closed out with a bang Saturday at UFC Fight Night 135, which took place at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., with a six-fight main card that aired on FS1.

Justin Gaethje (19-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) ended the show with a highlight-reel knockout over James Vick (13-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC). The former WSOF champ came into the event on a two-fight skid but managed to rebound with the sick finish and put himself back on the map among 155-pound contenders.

Prior to Gaethje’s brutal finish, Michael Johnson (18-13 MMA, 10-9 UFC), Cortney Casey (8-6 MMA, 4-5 UFC), Bryan Barberena (14-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC), Deiveson Figueiredo (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), and Eryk Anders (11-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) also scored key wins.

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 Fight Night 135’s winning fighters.

* * * *

Eryk Anders

Should fight: Elias Theodorou
Why they should fight: Capped off by one of the great head-kick finishes in recent memory, Anders bounced back from his first career loss with a thunderous finish against Tim Williams.

Elias Theodorou

After experiencing a setback against former UFC champ Lyoto Machita in February, Anders showed improvement when he delivered a more patient and methodical performance. He put Williams away with a brutal head kick in the third round of the middleweight bout.

Following the win, Anders called out Theodorou (15-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) for a December date at UFC 231 in December. Theodorou currently has a fight booked against Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Fight Night 137 next month in Brazil, but win or lose, “The Ultimate Fighter: Nations” winner seems like a fitting foe for “Ya Boi.”

Deiveson Figueiredo

Should fight: Winner of Jussier Formiga vs. Sergio Pettis at UFC 229
Why they should fight: A new contender emerged in the flyweight division when Figueiredo delivered a highly impressive performance against former title challenger John Moraga.

Sergio Pettis.

Figueiredo added a 15th consecutive victory to his perfect record when he finished Moraga with a second-round TKO to put his name near the top of a suddenly captivating 125-pound division.

With the win, Figueiredo put himself in position for a huge fight next. The winner of October’s UFC 229 matchup between Formiga (21-5 MMA, 7-4 UFC) and Pettis (17-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) would be a logical pairing in what would almost certainly be a title eliminator.

Bryan Barberena

Should fight: Vicente Luque
Why they should fight: Barberena ended the storied career of Jake Ellenberger with a first-round win that marked his return to competition from a lengthy layoff.

Vicente Luque (USA TODAY Sports)

After winning by first-round TKO, Barberena has now beaten both of the Ellenberger brothers in definitive fashion, which is a nice feather in his cap as he moves forward with his career in the UFC welterweight division.

Thus far, “Bam Bam” has proven to be a fighter capable of finishing many opponents. Ellenberger was an aging foe on his way out the door, though, and now it’s time for Barberena to fight someone else on the come up, such as Luque (13-6-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC).

Cortney Casey

Should fight: Tecia Torres
Why they should fight: After coming out on the wrong end of several split decision results, Casey finally persuaded the judges to see it her way for a victory over Angela Hill.

Tecia Torres (USA TODAY Sports)

Casey defeated Hill by split decision in a competitive strawweight fight, proving that she still belongs in the upper tier of the weight class.

“Cast Iron” has taken nothing but tough fights in recent years and made it clear she has no intention of changing things up now. She called out Mackenzie Dern in her post-fight interview, but her experience and gritty fighting style might be too much for the unbeaten rising star at this point in time.

Instead, Casey should fight someone on a similar level to her at 115 pounds. She’s already fought many of the best, but Torres (10-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC), who is on a two-fight skid, is one person she has yet to share the octagon with.

Michael Johnson

Should fight: Makwan Amirkhani
Why they should fight: Johnson got his first featherweight victory and snapped a three-fight losing skid when he edged Andre Fili on the scorecards.

Makwan Amirkhani (USA TODAY Sports)

Johnson took a split decision over Fili to break his slump and register a win in the 145-pound division. He refused to call anyone out afterward, but there are a ton of fresh matchups for “The Menace” in the division.

Amirkhani (14-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) might not have quite the same name value as some of Johnson’s recent foes, but he’s put together a solid body of work under the UFC banner. “Mr. Finland” has earned a more notable opponent, whereas Johnson could use the fight as an opportunity to get a win-streak going for the first time in years.

Justin Gaethje

Should fight: Kevin Lee
Why they should fight: Watch the video above to see why Gaethje should fight Lee (17-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) next.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 135, check out the UFC Events section of the site.

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