UFC 141 Results: 5 Fights for Nate Diaz to Take Next

Nate Diaz put a boxing beatdown on "The Cowboy" Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 last night and set himself up for a prosperous 2012 in the process. Diaz used the famed and unique Diaz boxing style of effective, relentless hands straight up the middle to batter Cerrone and break his will.

The masterful performance looked eerily similar to those of his older brother, as Nate got comfortable and cocky as the fight went on, often taunting Cerrone with his hands down in prime Diaz fashion. Cerrone failed to jump at the opportunity and Diaz knew the fight was his.

It has been a solid rise to the top for Diaz after returning to the lightweight division in 2011 and coming off of two spectacular performances against Cerrone and Gomi, he has now set himself right in the middle of the best of the best at 155 pounds.

A title shot could be in the cards for Diaz in 2012, but for now, here are five fights that Nate Diaz could take next.

Winner of Joe Lauzon vs Anthony Pettis

Joe Lauzon and Anthony Pettis are set to rumble in February at UFC 144 in Japan to sort out who will remain in title contention in the lightweight division in 2012. Both fighters are young, highly ranked 155'ers and like Diaz, they have already faced and beaten some common foes in their respective careers. Lauzon is coming off a submission win over top lightweight Melvin Guillard and Diaz has submitted Guillard as well.

Pettis is looking to get on a roll coming off a win over Jeremy Stephens and he has also beaten number one contender Benson Henderson in his career. Pettis recently lost to UFC veteran contender Clay Guida and Diaz also lost to Guida in "Fight of The Night" at UFC 97 two years ago. Some sorting out needs to be done between these men in 2012.

Clay Guida

Nate Diaz has fought and lost to Clay Guida before and isn't every fighter motivated and looking to avenge the losses on their record? Guida is at the top of the lightweight division and just lost his title shot fight to Benson Henderson by the thinnest of margins. 

Guida has already beaten Diaz but I'm sure another fight with the lightweight bad boy from Stockton would be one he would welcome to get back on track. They also share a recent common victory as both fighters defeated Takanori Gomi in 2011.

Guida was knocked down a peg and lost his title shot with his loss to Henderson and Diaz has vaulted up a few pegs with his impressive performances of late. It's time to see who is better now. 

Winner Jim Miller vs Melvin Guillard

Another fight on the horizon with major title implications at 155 pounds is taking place on Jan. 20 in Nashville, Tennessee. Jim Miller will face Melvin Guillard at UFC Fight Night 26 and both men are ranked higher than Diaz in the minds of many in the MMA know.

Diaz has already faced and submitted the explosive Guillard, but if Melvin beats Miller, a rematch with Diaz would be a great matchup for both men to establish themselves over the other. Guillard needs to show he has rounded out his game enough to climb to a title and another Diaz win would surely put Guillard in his rear view for good.

If the well-rounded Miller can bounce back from his tough loss against Benson Henderson and get a convincing win against Guillard, then he will surely put himself right back up into title contention again and a matchup with Diaz would be one the fans would want to see.

Gray Maynard

Nate Diaz has beaten two very tough opponents in his last two fights, but if there is a kryptonite out there for him, it is in the form of a wrestler. Diaz is much like his brother Nick in that he can whoop anyone at anytime, but he does have a weakness to takedowns.

Diaz fought Gray Maynard back in 2009 and lost a unanimous decision where he was dominated by the strength and wrestling prowess of Maynard. Of course, Maynard is still recovering from his two straight title fight losses to champ Frankie Edgar, and it is unclear whether a rematch with Diaz would turn his crank. But sometimes beggars can't be choosers, and Diaz has earned a chance to redeem his loss to "The Bully."

Loser Frankie Edgar vs Benson Henderson

I don't think Nate Diaz has earned a title shot by beating Gomi and Cerrone, so I won't say he should get the winner of the February title fight between Edgar and Henderson. However, I do feel he merits fighting the loser, to see if he is really ready to make that jump.

Diaz has placed himself right in the middle of the fire with these two top lightweight's and he has already fought everyone at the top of the food chain south of these two elite men. Whomever wins will hold the title and surely defend against an established veteran, but the loser will have to fight on a quick turnaround to sort out the lineup of contenders in the division. Diaz is one of the men in line.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and correspondent for MMACanada.net.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.