UFC 149 Results: 5 Fights for Matt Riddle to Take Next

Matt Riddle looked solid in his 10th UFC contest last night at UFC 149. The Ultimate Fighter contestant showed a variety of attacks from the clinch, along with an improved ground game.

However, Riddle remains a banger at heart. Several times in the first round, "Deep Waters" would abandon a dominant or controlling position in order to go back to the center of the cage and exchange punches.

In the end, the youngster would catch Chris Clements throwing a spinning back fist and make him pay for it. By ducking the strike, he latched onto a standing arm-triangle choke and tripped his opponent to earn the win and a Submission of the Night bonus. 

Sean Pierson

Sometimes a rematch of a fun fight can liven up a TV card.

At UFC 124, Pierson and Riddle battled through three rounds of war that was absolutely electric. Were it not for a misguided notion to allow fans to vote on the Fight of the Night, undoubtedly this fight would have taken home some extra cash.

Pierson and Riddle are both coming off of wins, but are lacking direction. Throwing them on the main card of a UFC on Fuel event could provide fans with a satisfying slugfest that is perfect for a free event.

Rick Story

Rick Story was once considered to be on his way to title contention, but a pair of losses to Charlie Brenneman and Martin Kampmann quickly squashed that idea.

These days, he finds himself on the preliminary portion of UFC on FX events, standing across the cage from promotional newcomers like Brock Jardine.

With a win of his own last month, Story is ready to get back into the public eye. A battle with Riddle would show us exactly how much Riddle's wrestling has improved. In any case, one man would put a notable feather in his cap.

Paulo Thiago

Paulo Thiago is the polar opposite of Matt Riddle. A stone-faced warrior who appears to be all business inside the cage, Thiago is dangerous wherever a fight goes. 

After losing three of his last four, the Brazilian SWAT team member needs a fight that is winnable, but not necessarily a "gimme." A matchup with a goofy slugger like Riddle could just be exactly what the doctor ordered.

Seth Baczynski

Now riding a three-fight winning streak inside the Octagon, Seth Baczynski is ready to fight another notable member of the UFC roster. With a 7-3 record inside the Octagon, Matt Riddle fits the bill.

Baczynski has secured most of his professional wins via submission, but Riddle has never tapped out in his professional career. With both men being notoriously difficult to finish, this fight would be both entertaining to watch and an interesting test for the participants.

Simeon Thoresen

Matt Riddle has a history of being paired off with fighters who are relatively new in the UFC. Simeon Thoresen is a dangerous fighter from Norway who holds a 17-2 record and is looking for his second win inside the Octagon.

Thoresen won his UFC debut via submission back in April after submitting Besam Yousef in the second round. In his 17 victories, Thoresen has earned 15 submission wins. That kind of grappling game could give Riddle trouble.

However, Riddle has never been submitted and is incredibly tough.