UFC Fight Night 63 results recap: Next matches to make for 'Mendes vs Lamas' main card winners in Virginia

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) kicked off the month of April with a Saturday afternoon (April 4, 2015) mixed martial arts (MMA) fiesta with the captivating UFC Fight Night 63: "Mendes vs Lamas" event, which took place live on FOX Sports 1 inside the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

In the main event of the evening, Chad Mendes cemented himself as the best featherweight on the planet not named Jose Aldo by easily dispatching of No. 4 ranked Ricardo Lamas via (technical) knockout in the very first round (highlights here).

Al Iaquinta pulled out a highly controversial split decision in the co-main event of the evening over Jorge Masvidal, but the real storyline was "Ragin's" vitriol-filled post-fight interview (watch it here).

Check out the highlights from the fight here.

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

Winner: Dustin Poirier

Who He Should Fight Next: Bobby Green

Prior to his UFC Fight Night 63 performance, I believed Dustin Poirier left the featherweight division a bit hastily. But with losses to top contenders Chan Sung Jung, Cub Swanson, and Conor McGregor, a title shot was a long ways away in the 145 pound division.

After becoming the first man to finish the upstart Carlos Diego Ferreira, "The Diamond" is in an excellent position to make a title run at 155 pounds.

If No. 11 ranked Bobby Green can return to action from his nasty leg injury in time for UFC Fight Night 68 in Louisiana in June, you can expect the hometown favorite Poirier to secure a last second main event slot against "King."

Winner: Clay Guida

Who He Should Fight Next: Charles Oliveira

Clay Guida actually impressed me at UFC Fight Night 63, even though UFC matchmakers handed him a gift-wrapped matchup in striker Robbie Peralta.

While I suspected "The Carpenter" to grind out a win -- which he ultimately did -- he also showed off some improved striking and head movement thanks in large part to his work with Edmond Tarverdyan.

Ultimately, if Guida is to be tested he needs to fight someone with serious wrestling or jiu-jitsu credentials. Considering how poor Guida has fought against other top-notch wrestlers, I would be intrigued to see him take on Charles Oliveira next.

Could "Do Bronx" submit Guida, or will "The Carpenter" grind out another win?

Winner: Julianna Pena

Who He Should Fight Next: Amanda Nunes

I believe Sean Shelby and Joe Silva were testing the waters when they matched up Julianna Pena with Milana Dudieva. Ultimately, Pena passed the test with flying colors, utterly dominating her Russian counterpart en route to a (technical) knockout victory in the first round.

Pena was on the sidelines for quite some time with a nasty knee injury, so I am certain she is itching to test her mettle against the top 10 of the women's bantamweight division.

While I could see fights against Holly Holm or Marion Reneau materialize, my personal favorite would be a bout against Amanda Nunes.

Both women have hellacious ground and pound, and Nunes would be a legitimate test for "The Venezuelan Vixen."

Book it!

Winner: Michael Chiesa

Who He Should Fight Next: Ross Pearson

I honestly don't care who Michael Chiesa fights because I would watch him against literally any opponent. With his enthralling mix of wild and reckless striking alongside a sensational jiu-jitsu game highlighted by his incredible back takes, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) winner is simply one of the most exciting fighters in MMA.

A fight with the technical striker Ross Pearson would be an intriguing battle between a grappler and striker, and would more than likely provide for a finish on the mat or on the feet.

Simply put, this fight reeks of bonus money, and I sincerely hope we get to witness it.

Winner: Al Iaquinta

Who He Should Fight Next: Edson Barboza

Deserved or not, Iaquinta got his fourth straight Octagon victory in Fairfax this past weekend, and "Ragin" will be moving up the lightweight ladder.

With a large percentage of the ranked fighters in the lightweight division already scheduled or coming off a loss, it seems Iaquinta will be facing off against either Myles Jury or Edson Barboza.

Even though UFC matchmakers rarely pair a fighter coming off a loss with a fighter on a winning streak, it seems that Barboza vs Iaquinta is the best possible matchup to make at this point in time.

Winner: Chad Mendes

Who He Should Fight Next: Jose Aldo, Conor McGregor, or Frankie Edgar

It is quite unfortunate fans have yet to see Chad Mendes take on Frankie Edgar, but the timeline has simply not worked out.

That could change if Edgar defeats Mendes' teammate Urijah Faber at UFC Fight Night 65 in May, but there is no guarantee UFC would match the former lightweight champ against "Money" in a No. 1 contender bout later this year.

With Aldo and McGregor throwing down in July, one of those two men will need a new title challenger sometime around October or November.

Will Mendes wait for another crack at gold? Will UFC opt to give Edgar the shot with a win over Faber?

At this point, we simply have to wait and see as the top-half of the division plays itself out.

For complete UFC Fight Night 63 "Mendes vs Lamas" results and play-by-play, click here.