UFC 179 results recap: What's next fight for Jose Aldo?

In mixed martial arts (MMA), fans are always looking toward the future, even moments after the last fight has concluded. When UFC 179 wrapped up, and Jose Aldo had retained his title for the seventh time, the focus quickly shifted to "who is next?"

Well, it looks as if Aldo's next several fights may already be lined up, as the featherweight division weeds out the current crop of contenders. Barring any severe injuries, we can expect to see the champion back in action as early as February, and his opponent will likely be either Cub Swanson or Frankie Edgar.

Swanson and Edgar are set to duke it out in the main event of UFC Fight Night 57 in November, and both have earned another crack at Aldo. Edgar, the former lightweight champion, fought Aldo back in 2013, losing a unanimous decision in a sensational back-and-forth fight. Swanson, who has won six in a row, fought Aldo back in WEC prior to the Brazilian becoming the champ, and was knocked out with a double flying knee in just eight seconds.

Obviously, both men are itching to get back into the cage with Aldo, but it seems the Brazilian featherweight has fresh meat on his mind. Ever since Conor McGregor made his UFC debut, he declared war on the entire division, including its champion. McGregor and Aldo exchanged multiple barbs throughout fight week, as the Irishman inserted his name into the UFC 179 storyline.

With McGregor's flare in and outside the Octagon, a potential bout with Aldo could be the biggest featherweight fight of all time, and the anticipation leading up to it would certainly be one to remember. With Aldo giving a slight jab to McGregor during his post-fight interview, noting McGregor is a clown, the stage is set for a battle of epic proportions.

Can McGregor vs. Aldo reach the anticipation and rivalry level of Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva? We know UFC certainly hopes so, as well as thousands of fans across the world.

In my mind, this fight cannot come soon enough.

Well, there is one issue. Inexplicably, UFC opted to give McGregor a fight in January against Dennis Siver, announcing the match up earlier this week before allowing UFC 179 to play out. Now McGregor will have to go through Siver to get a shot at the belt, but by that time, he will likely be waiting behind either Swanson or Edgar. As we know in the fight game, when you fail to cash in on a major opportunity such as the McGregor vs. Aldo rivalry, it could quickly vanish and be gone forever.

Proof.

Regardless of who is next for Aldo in the featherweight division, let's not forget the small possibility that "Junior" leaves the 145-pound division altogether in search of a "super fight" with UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. While this is likely the least probable of the scenarios, a man can dream, can't he?

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