UFC 174: Rory MacDonald vs. Tyron Woodley Video Highlights

UFC welterweight contenders Rory MacDonald and Tyron Woodley squared off in the co-main event of UFC 174. When it was all said and done, a legitimate contender was clearly established. 

"Ares" consistently utilized his jab to control the distance and set up combinations and also scored the only takedown of the fight in the third and final frame. 

Many pundits believed this was the best performance of MacDonald's career, an assessment that the Tristar Gym standout agrees with wholeheartedly, per MMA Fighting.

The 24-year-old did not disappoint in front of his Canadian home crowd, notching his seventh victory in his past eight fights. 

Unfortunately for "T-Wood," it was the complete opposite story. 

Woodley, a former Strikeforce title challenger and two-time All-American Division I wrestler, couldn't get his takedowns going and seemed slow on the draw when he traded punches with MacDonald. 

Recording three knockouts in his past four matchups, "The Chosen One" never came close to landing his signature big right hand on his Canadian counterpart and was simply outclassed for the duration of the bout. 

While Woodley entered the bout ranked as the No. 3 welterweight in the world according to the UFC's official rankings, he is now just 3-3 in his past six fights.

UFC President Dana White had no problem pouring salt into the wound for Woodley, telling MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani that "he chokes in the big fights" and was critical of the fact he didn't aggressively pursue a finish in the third round.

To his credit, Woodley made no excuses about the loss when he addressed the situation on Twitter. 

"

Thanks u Vancouver. What an amazin city. Congrats 2 @rory_macdonald as he was the better man 2night. #TheChosenOne will B back stronger @ufc

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) June 15, 2014"

Now that the welterweight title picture is a little bit clearer, which opponents make the most sense for Woodley and MacDonald next? 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA editor for eDraft.com.