UFC 143 Results: 5 Fights for Dustin Poirier to Take Next

UFC featherweight Dustin Poirier emerged from UFC 143 as one of the promotion's top prospects, extending his winning streak to five in a row with his first-round submission of Max Holloway.

Taking Submission of the Night with a brutal mounted triangle armbar, Poirier is now 4-0 in the UFC, dropping down to 145 after the merger with the WEC.

Now ready to take on the upper echelon of the featherweight division, here are five fights that Poirier should take next.

Leonard Garcia

One of the biggest brawlers in the UFC, Leonard Garcia has a fast-paced fighting style that would test Poirier's chin and stand-up ability.

Coming off back-to-back losses to Nam Phan and Chan-Sung Jung, Garcia may not be ranked high on the title contender list, but he remains a proven veteran that would truly challenge Poirier in a manner that he has not be challenged before.

Winner of Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski

If the UFC decides to pit Poirier against some of the toughest featherweights on its roster, then having him challenge the winner of Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski would be a fantastic choice.

Hioki is widely considered a top-three featherweight, while Palaszewski is a toughened veteran who's starting to make a name for himself now that he is at 145.  

A win against either fighter would catapult Poirier into top contender status.

Mark Hominick

Mark Hominick has had a rough time since losing to champ Jose Aldo at UFC 129, but the Canadian striker remains one of the top featherweights in the UFC and would be a great challenge for Poirier.

As a submission specialist, Poirier would have to step up his game in order to challenge a veteran striker—a true test to see if he's ready for the big names in the UFC.

It would be interesting to see if he can go toe-to-toe with the former top contender.

Yuri Alcantara

Yuri Alcantara may not be a household name, but the Brazilian powerhouse is quietly staking a claim in the UFC's featherweight division.

A well-versed grappler, Alcantara also possesses heavy hands—a dangerous combination, but something that Poirier should be able to handle.

Riding a 13-fight win streak, taking on this surging veteran would make for a great matchup of top prospects.

Charles Oliveira

In his featherweight debut late last month, Charles Oliveira showed off his dangerous submission skills when he caught Eric Wisely in a calf slicer at UFC on FOX 2.

With an arsenal of deadly submissions, a bout between Oliveira and Poirier would make for a great battle of grappling aces.

A potential bout between these two fighters would also be a great a showcase of the future of the featherweight division.

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