UFC on FX 5 Results: 5 Fights for Diego Nunes to Take Next

Now 10 fights into his Zuffa tenure, kickboxer Diego Nunes has been unable to put together any momentum since being brought into the UFC.

In an odd note, the dangerous striker has gone to the scorecards in each of those contests, despite never seeing them in his first 11 fights as a professional.

With a UFC record of 3-2, Nunes hasn't quite set the world on fire, but his victories over former WEC champion Mike Brown, as well as his victory over Bart Palaszewski this evening make him someone who fans should keep an eye on. 

Here is a look at five fights for Diego Nunes to take next.

Dennis Bermudez

Since losing to Diego Brandao at The Ultimate Fighter 14 finale, he has grown in his following fights. Bermudez is coming off back-to-back victories over Pablo Garza and Tommy Hayden. The standing guillotine submission over Hayden earned Bermudez submission of the night at UFC 150.

Squaring off against Nunes would be a big step up in competition, and put the winner of the fight firmly into the growing mix of featherweight contenders. Neither fighter is within a fight of a title shot, and this would be a good battle to see who deserves to be elevated up the division's ladder.  

Max Holloway

Standing at 5'11", Hawaiian striker Max Holloway is one of the tallest fighters at 145 pounds. Despite losing his promotional debut to Dustin Poirier, Holloway has rallied in recent months to put together wins against Pat Schilling and Justin Lawrence.

How well will the body shots of Holloway impact the deadly assault of Nunes? Will the experience of "The Gun" be too much for the much younger Holloway? I'm not sure, but I'd love to find out.

Marcus Brimage

Who would have guessed that Marcus Brimage would be the man to shut down the hype train of Jimy Hettes? Brimage wasn't exactly impressive in previous UFC contests, but he showed excellent submission defense and he handled himself well against Hettes in the standup department.

How will Nunes handle himself against the lunging attacks of Brimage? Now that Brimage has improved his submission defense (the cause of his only losses as a professional), will he become a dark horse in the featherweight division?

Robbie Peralta

Robbie Peralta is on an impressive 10 fight unbeaten streak, but has yet to be showcased on the main card. All three of his UFC bouts have been on the Facebook prelims, but after his 23 second knockout of Jason Young, it is time he gets promoted to a bigger bout. 

Peralta can throw down, and Nunes would be sure to oblige as well. Not only does this fight have significance for the division, but it would be an exciting fight. It is a fight worthy of main card promotion.

Cub Swanson

On the deep end of the matchmaking spectrum, it is possible that Nunes could end up standing across the cage from Cub Swanson. Considering Swanson's current hopes for a title bid, and the fact that he enjoys to fight opponents who are willing to exchange with him, a bout with a Top 10 opponent like Nunes might already be on his mind.

Nunes has never finished a fight during his tenure with Zuffa, and Swanson rarely goes to decision. Something has got to give, and this match will show us where both men truly stand within the division.