UFC 130 Results: 5 Fights That Will Catapult Rick Story into the Title Picture

Welterweight Rick "The Horror" Story out-struck and controlled former title challenger Thiago "Pitbull" Alves at UFC 130 to win his sixth straight UFC bout.

Story, who is known for his wrestling, got the best of the dangerous Muay Thai specialist over three rounds. He was awarded a unanimous decision with the scores 29-28 across the board.

With the biggest win of his career, it definitely moves him into the top of the division and one fight away from a shot at current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.

So who should he take on next to get that shot? These are the five best opponents for him to get the title opportunity.

No. 5: Josh Koscheck (15-5)

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MONTREAL- MAY 8: Josh Koscheck (top) punches Paul Daley in their welter weight bout at UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Josh Koscheck recently lost his shot at obtaining UFC gold when he dropped a five-round unanimous decision to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 124.

He also had major damage done to his eye, and it's been a while since he has been able to fight or even train.

When he comes back, he will be looking to gain some momentum he might have lost after his three-fight win streak came to a crashing halt against GSP.

Which fighter has the superior wrestling? This is a fight that can answer that question and many more.

No. 4: B.J. Penn (16-7-2)

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: BJ Penn of the USA walks into the arena before the start of his welterweight bout agains John Fitch of the USA as part of UFC 127 at Acer Arena on February 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

B.J. "The Prodigy" Penn is coming off of a very tough draw to Jon Fitch, who is arguably the second best welterweight in the world right now.

They were scheduled to rematch at a future UFC show, but the bout fell through and was canceled.

Penn has always had trouble with wrestlers and "grinders," and that is exactly what Story is best at. He may even be tougher than Fitch, but both are extremely hard to finish.

The competition level is a big difference for both, but this article is about taking Story's career to the next level, and Penn is definitely there to greet him if he's interested.

No. 3: Jake Shields (26-5-1)

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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 17: Strikeforce World Middleweight Champion Jake Shields attends the CBS' Strikeforce MMA Fighters Open Media Workout on March 17, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Jake Shields is coming off of a spirited performance against UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 129, where he lost a unanimous decision over five rounds.

He showed an ever-improving standup game, fighting every round on the feet against St. Pierre.

Shields is also a master in the grappling department, and this is one area Story is familiar with.

Is he familiar with the jiu-jitsu ability of Shields, though? Shields is a specialist when it comes to grappling and he has a background in NCAA Division II wrestling to back it up. He also has a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, an area where he is at his best.

Shields could make the argument for being the second-best welterweight, and if he doesn't fight Fitch or another top contender, this is a fight he should definitely take.

No. 2: Winner of Kim Dong-Hyun vs. Carlos Condit

At UFC 132, two of the best contenders in the welterweight division will be squaring off.

Neither have challenged Georges St. Pierre, and many fans don't think either of them are ready.

Carlos Condit is coming off a victory over Dan Hardy, knocking out the British fighter in front of his hometown fans at UFC 121.

Kim Dong-Hyun recently defeated Nate Diaz at UFC 125 by decision.

If this fight doesn't provide the next immediate challenger for the welterweight title, they should be next in line with Story.

It's inevitable that they fight then to determine the No. 1 contender, right?

No. 1: Jon Fitch (23-3)

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Jon Fitch of the USA looks across the octagon at BJ Penn of the USA before the start of their welterweight bout part of UFC 127 at Acer Arena on February 27, 2011 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Jon Fitch and Story have very familiar fighting styles.

Both have incredibly strong chins and are extremely hard to finish. It's going to take a lot to put either one away, and it might not ever happen inside the UFC.

Their toughness makes for a very good fight and one that could bring out the best in both.

Many have been waiting for Fitch to show that he has what it takes to get a second crack at the champion. Story wants his shot and feels he is on the right path to going into the title fight with a lot of momentum behind him.

Fitch has only lost one fight since 2004, so a win over him for Story would be the biggest and most important victory up to this point in his young career.