UFC Fight Night 65 Results: 5 Fights for Stipe Miocic

Stipe Miocic has slowly emerged as a true contender within the UFC's heavyweight division. His vicious stoppage of Mark Hunt during UFC Fight Night 65 on Saturday is perhaps his most important victory since joining the Zuffa brand.

With this win, Miocic may be on the short list of men who will challenge winner of the Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum bout at June's UFC 188 in Mexico.

With that in mind, these bout suggestions will help keep Miocic ranked in the top five of the division.

Travis Browne

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Travis Browne is working to become a number-one contender

Travis “Hapa” Browne is working his way back into the title picture.

Currently ranked No. 3 in the division, Browne is set to face Andrei Arlovski at UFC 187 in a few weeks. Even though he was recently defeated by Werdum at UFC on Fox 11, Browne can remain relevant if he dominates Arlovski on May 23.

Putting Stipe and Browne in the cage together would help create a true No. 1 contender from the winner of the fight.

Andrei Arlovski

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 14, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Andrei Arlovski (red) fights Brendan Schuab (blue) in the Heavyweight bout at UFC 174 at Rogers Arena. Andrei Arlovski defeats Brendan Schuab via split decision. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TO

As mentioned earlier, Arlovski is set to face Browne in the coming weeks.

Arlovski is a former UFC heavyweight champion whose return to prominence is one of the more intriguing return stories of late. At 36, Arlovski has put together two straight wins to push himself to the No. 7 position within the division.

If he could defeat Miocic, he would create another level of excitement for what may be the final stage of his career.

Alistair Overeem

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Mar 14, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Alistair Overeem (blue) before fighting Roy Nelson (red) in a heavyweight bout during UFC 185 at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Alistair Overeem has not lived up to expectations since joining the UFC back in 2011. He's put together a 4-3 record while fighting for Zuffa, but the way he has been stopped continues to halt his push toward a title shot.

Still, he's ranked in the top 10 of the division and is a valuable name within the group.

In his interview with Anton Tabuena of Bloody Elbow, Overeem has expressed interest in fighting Junior dos Santos. If that fight does not come together, a bout with Miocic is just as valuable and captivating.

Ben Rothwell

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 21: Ben Rothwell celebrates defeating Brendan Schaub in a knockout during their heavyweight bout for UFC 145 at Philips Arena on April 21, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ben Rothwell is riding a two-fight win streak into his upcoming bout with Matt Mitrione in June.

If Rothwell pulls out the win, he would be a good fight for Miocic at some point during the third quarter of 2015. The heavyweight title has not been defended as much as other belts due to injury issues. Pairing Rothwell with Miocic will keep both men active at a time in which the division will benefit to develop more contenders.

Matt Mitrione

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December 13, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Matt Mitrione hits Gabriel Gonzaga during UFC Fight Night at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Mitrione is yet another heavyweight fighter who is hitting a great stride in his career. Meathead is on a three-fight win streak in which none of his opponents have been able to get out of the first round.

He's currently ranked No. 12 within the division, but he's showing a level of dedication to the sport that makes him an interesting part of any bout.

Placing him against Miocic will help add another win to Miocic's growing resume or prove that Mitrione should not be overlooked in any fashion.