UFC 179 results recap: Next matches to make for 'Aldo vs. Mendes' PPV main card winners in Brazil

The UFC 179 pay-per-view (PPV) was not exactly lauded for being a "stacked" card beforehand, and the results on Saturday night (Oct. 25, 2014) certainly showed why that was the case. In a night full of snooze fests, Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes saved the show with their sensational featherweight title fight live from the Ginasio do Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The featherweight champion kept the title in Brazil for his seventh straight title defense against a very game "Money" Mendes in the evening's main event. The fight was an exhilarating, and much needed, back-and-forth affair after four substandard bouts leading up to the title fight. Regardless, Aldo left it all inside the Octagon, leaving with a badly bruised eye, but retaining his UFC belt via unanimous decision victory.

Watch the highlights here.

The co-main event featured a one-sided light heavyweight beatdown, and Phil "Mr. Wonderful" Davis was the man swinging the hammer. Davis dominated former No. 1 contender Glover Teixeira for the entire 15 minute bout, not letting the Brazilian bruiser ever get into any sort of dangerous rhythm. While he won't get a title shot right off the bat, the win was easily the most impressive of Davis' UFC career.

With that quick recap of the night's consequential bouts, it is now time to play matchmaker with our "Next Matches To Make."

Winner: Beneil Dariush

Who Should He Fight Next: Gilbert Burns

I am not sure anyone is itching to see Dariush fight again after his performance at UFC 179. While it is understandable to employ a safe game plan against a dangerous fighter such as Carlos Diego Ferreira, it would have been nice to see Dariush push the finish a bit more rather than coasting in his UFC PPV debut.

Regardless, Dariush got the victory, and with that he moves up the lightweight ladder. As for his next opponent, a fight against fellow prospect Gilbert Burns -- who also picked up a victory at UFC 179 -- could potentially be interesting. Who knows? Maybe one of those two men could become legitimate contenders in the lightweight division down the road.

Winner: Darren Elkins

Who Should He Fight Next: Clay Guida

Elkins fought a smart game plan last night, but boy was it atrocious to watch. In order to prevent that type of fight from ever occurring again, UFC needs to match Elkins up with someone who can wrestle against him, utilize an effective jiu-jitsu game, keep distance, and make it a competitive fight.

Considering Elkins is in the top 15 of the division, I suggest a fight with fellow UFC veteran Clay Guida would do the trick.

Winner: Fabio Maldonado

Who Should He Fight Next: Ovince St. Preux

Maldonado didn't exactly look amazing last evening, but does he ever? It seems that his game plan is to lose the first round, usually in devastating fashion, and then rally in the latter rounds by brutalizing his opponents with a bevy of head and body shots.

In the end, Maldonado got the technical knockout victory over an exhausted and beaten Hans Stringer, which will now move him up the light heavyweight ladder (watch the highlights here). Next on the docket for the Brazilian slugger? How about an enticing tilt against Ovince St. Preux if he defeats Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 56?

Sounds dandy to me!

If not St. Preux, fights with Rafael Cavalcante or Antonio Rogerio Nogueira would certainly bring in some interest.

Winner: Phil Davis

Who Should He Fight Next: Ryan Bader

We understand that Phil Davis wants to fight Anderson "The Spider" Silva, but we are sure Dana White and Nick Diaz have something to say about that. Instead, Davis will continue his march up the ladder, but in doing so he must look behind him.

Considering Davis has now fought the No. 1, 3, 4, and 5 light heavyweight contenders in his UFC career, the only viable opponent left is No. 7 ranked Ryan Bader. Considering "Darth" is on a three-fight winning streak, and both men have outstanding wrestling credentials, this has to be the bout the UFC books next for both men.

Winner: Jose Aldo

Who Should He Fight Next: Conor McGregor, but it will likely be against the Frankie Edgar vs. Cub Swanson winner.

Want to see Conor McGregor and Jose Aldo get at it inside the Octagon for the featherweight title? Well, too bad! Unfortunately, we won't get to see that potential fight until at least April of 2015, if not later. Instead of waiting for the UFC 179 main event result, UFC opted to book the Irish sensation for a main event in Boston against No. 10 ranked Dennis Siver earlier this week.

With McGregor's stardom and fan base both building with each successive fight, UFC may have missed a golden opportunity for a Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva-esque rivalry between McGregor and Aldo beginning in early 2015.

While we still may be granted that fight later in 2015, it seems that Aldo will likely rematch either Frankie Edgar or Cub Swanson, once those two settle their score in the main event of UFC Fight Night 57 in November.

That's a wrap.

For more results and fallout from UFC 179 including play-by-play, videos, reactions, recaps, and more, check out our "Aldo vs. Mendes 2" live story stream right here.