UFC on Fuel 10 Results: 5 Fights for Fabricio Werdum to Take Next

Fabricio Werdum has officially tossed his name into contention for the UFC heavyweight title with his performance at UFC on Fuel 10. "Vai Cavalo" submitted the legendary Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via armbar, effectively pushing himself to the front of the line of top heavyweights.

Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos are scheduled to settle their rivalry with a rubber match next with the belt on the line. In the meantime, Werdum lies in wait ready for a shot at gold.

Here are five fights for Werdum to take next.

Junior Dos Santos-Cain Velasquez Winner

As mentioned in the intro, Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos are on deck to settle their rivalry for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. Assuming they don't draw in that fight a la Frankie Edgar-Gray Maynard, Werdum should get the next crack at gold.

A bout with Velasquez would be new for Werdum, but a bout with JDS would be a chance at redemption from UFC 90, when an unknown dos Santos blasted Vai Cavalo with a vicious uppercut. Either way, Werdum is the new No. 1 contender in the division.

Daniel Cormier

Assuming Daniel Cormier stays in the division for a couple more fights, a bout against Fabricio Werdum would be what the doctor ordered. It would be a test to see how Werdum would fare against Cain Velasquez.

Cormier's Olympic-level wrestling would likely be able to keep the fight upright against the obviously superior grappler in Werdum. It would test both men's striking against one another, as Cormier and Werdum have both improved vastly in that area.

Josh Barnett-Frank Mir Winner

You want to see a fun grappling match? Put Fabricio Werdum in the cage opposite of the winner of the Josh Barnett-Frank Mir match scheduled to go down at UFC 164.

Mir is a jiu-jitsu-based grappler who shares the distinction with Werdum of being one of only two people to submit Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Barnett is a catch wrestler with great takedowns and top pressure.

Either man would create a fun fight with Werdum and, again, provide a top contender to UFC gold.

Alistair Overeem-Travis Browne Winner

UFC on Fox Sports 1 in Boston will play host to a heavyweight bout between Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne. Again, it could provide the next opponent for Fabricio Werdum.

Browne would be a new opponent for Werdum that would give him trouble on the feet.

Overeem, meanwhile, is a recent opponent of Vai Cavalo. His prowess on the feet was met with a vastly underwhelming performance from Werdum, though, who refused to engage on the feet.

Perhaps it would be a shot at redemption for Werdum, who was criticized for his performance against Overeem. 

Antonio Silva

Recent title challenger Antonio Silva is on the rebound from his loss to Cain Velasquez and is in a bit of limbo in the aftermath. If Werdum needs one more fight to gain a title shot, a bout against Silva could be the medicine.

Both men are Strikeforce veterans who have really shaped up the UFC heavyweight division. Both are also good grapplers with developing striking. The result could be a fun matchup.