UFC 180: 3 Fights to Make for Ricardo Lamas

Saturday night, the UFC made its triumphant debut in Mexico with UFC 180. Headlined by a heavyweight title fight, the card saw many Latino fighters compete, including two of the top featherweights in the world.

Former title challenger Ricardo Lamas took on surging 145-pounder Dennis Bermudez in a pivotal bout for the division. The fight lasted just one round, as Lamas was able to choke out Bermudez with a beautiful guillotine choke.

That fight was a huge win for Lamas, who stopped one of the rising fighters at 145. The win put him back in the title picture, which is crowded in the shark tank that is the featherweight division.

Who should Lamas fight next? Let's take a look at three potential opponents going forward.

Chad Mendes

Chad Mendes and Lamas are the last two men to compete with Jose Aldo for his UFC Featherweight Championship. It would make sense if those two men were to meet in the cage.

Both men are great wrestlers who have greatly improved their striking. They are both also Top Five 145-pounders who have a lot to offer in this division.

It's a bout that could easily headline a Fight Night card or bolster a pay-per-view. The winner is back in title consideration, and the loser has to take another fight to get back into the good graces of the Top Three.

Conor McGregor-Dennis Siver winner

Conor McGregor and Dennis Siver are set to do battle in the main event in Boston next year, and assuming the winner doesn't get a title shot, he could be next for Lamas.

Both men are strikers with decent takedown defense, something that could give Lamas trouble. However, given his well-roundedness, Lamas would be a threat to take out either man as well.

A McGregor win might get the Irishman a title shot. If that's the case, this bout would not be possible. 

If he doesn't get the title shot, McGregor-Lamas books itself.

Frankie Edgar-Cub Swanson winner

With how McGregor-Siver may crown the top contender to Aldo, the same can be said for Cub Swanson-Frankie Edgar.

If the winner of that fight doesn't get an immediate title shot, he could square off with Lamas. Either way, both men match up very well with Lamas.

Swanson would be looking for redemption against Lamas, who bested him earlier in his career. For Edgar, it would be another big name on his way back to another title shot.

Either way, the fight that came out of this situation would be awesome.