Mania Matchmaker: Possible next fights for UFC 153: 'Silva vs. Bonnar' winners

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returned to Brazil, treating the fans to a pay-per-view (PPV) card of top notch mixed martial arts (MMA) fights, when UFC 153 ransacked Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Oct. 13, 2012.

The main event featured UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva looking to further cement his status as the greatest of all time (GOAT), as he took care of business in his home country by making Stephan Bonnar look silly, en route to a nasty first round knockout.

It's uncertain what will be next for "The Spider." He may fight Georges St. Pierre in a catchweight match up, should "GSP" be able to take down Carlos Condit at UFC 154 in Montreal, Quebec on Nov. 17, 2012. There's also a chance that he'll simply hang out at 185 pounds and take on the next number one contender, after all that has been sorted out.

He should fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in the only "super fight" that matters, but it's going to take a lot of finessing and check stroking to make that dream a reality.

But, Silva wasn't the only winner with a future worth predicting. There were five other UFC 153 main card winners, and they're gonna need some opponents.

Let's get to the prognosticating.

In the co-main event, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira made a triumphant comeback, after suffering a gruesome injury in a loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140 in Toronto, Ontario on Dec. 10, 2011.

"Big Nog" proved to be the superior fighter versus Dave Herman, and he also showed the fans that he's still got a little bit of gas left in the tank.

I'd like to see him fight Mark Hunt.

It's a classic pairing of two former PRIDE legends, who somehow have managed to go their entire careers without ever facing each other. It's a fight that practically sells itself, and stylistically, it's a great match up.

Relative newcomer Glover Teixeira continued to show why nobody wants to fight him, when he beat the living bejesus out of Fabio Maldonado for two rounds, before the cageside physician finally threw in the white towel.

Teixeira is a monster. He's solid everywhere, and he's going to be a handful for anyone in the light heavyweight division.

In a dream scenario, Teixeira would fight Alexander Gustafsson as soon as possible in a number one contender eliminator bout. But that's not going to happen, mainly because Gustafsson is already locked into a December match up with Mauricio Rua.

All I know is that Teixeira has to get a name next. He's got to get a fight versus someone with a reputation. Let him prove he's either fake or for real. (Spoiler: He isn't fake.)

He was originally slated to take on Quinton Jackson, before "Rampage" had to bow out due to an injury. I'd still love to see that fight. Say it with me: "bangfest."

If that can't happen, a match up with either Rashad Evans or Phil Davis might be the way to go. One thing is for sure, they just can't match Glover up against the Fabio Maldonados of the world anymore. That train has left the station.

Jon Fitch emerged as a huge winner of the night, when he imposed his will against top prospect Erick Silva and proved that he's still a top contender in the welterweight division.

I'd like to attempt to kill two birds with one stone here and suggest that Fitch take on fellow UFC 153 big winner Demian Maia in each fighter's respective next bout.

They both feel like they have a lot to prove. Let them prove it against each other. Makes sense to me.

Finally, Phil Davis got a little bit of redemption with a submission win over Wagner Prado, in what was billed as a rematch after the Prado was unable to complete the fight when they last met at UFC on Fox 4, after Davis hit Prado with an accidental eye poke.

As previously stated, I believe a match up between "Mr. Wonderful" and Teixeira would be a good fight to book. I'm also not opposed to the idea of him fighting someone like Ryan Jimmo or Vinny Magalhaes.

I know that the argument could be presented that Davis shouldn't have to go from number one contender to a guy who is fighting prospects, just because he lost to Evans.

First off, he didn't just lose. Yes, it went to a decision, but Davis was bullied by Evans for five rounds. It was never close for a second.

Plus, I'm a selfish bastard, and I just want to see fun fights. I can't see how Davis versus any of the three fighters mentioned could not be a fun fight to watch.

But I was wrong once before.

Anyway, those are my match ups for the UFC 153 main card winners. How about yours?