UFC 138: What's Next for the Losers

The UFC went to Birmingham, England, for its most recent card, which featured the first five-round, non-title fight between Chris Leben and Mark Munoz. It didn't go the distance, but it did give the division one of its top contenders after two rounds of solid action.

In the co-main event, bantamweights Renan Barao and Brad Pickett fought to determine a possible title challenger for UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz.

Other main-card bouts included Terry Etim versus Edward Faaloloto, Anthony Perosh versus Cyrille Diabate and Thiago Alves versus Papy Abedi.

This is what's next for the losers.

Edward Faaloloto Loses to Terry Etim in Round 1 by Submission (Guillotine Choke)

Terry Etim returned in emphatic fashion after an extended layoff to submit Brazilian fighter Edward Faaloloto just 17 seconds into the first round.

Faaloloto falls to 0-3 in his last three fights, and it's unlikely he will stick around in the UFC's most stacked division.

If the UFC keeps him around, he could take on Danny Downes in a loser-leaves-town match.

Cyrille Diabate Loses to Anthony Perosh in Round 2 by Submission

In a fight that featured the two oldest fighters on the card, Cyrille Diabate was upset by Anthony Perosh after being submitted by a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Diabate is likely to stick around for a couple more fights despite the obvious holes in his ground game. Since Diabate is a former kickboxer, the UFC can match him up with strikers to give entertaining matches when the UFC goes to his home continent of Europe.

If he looks to get back into action as soon as possible, fights versus Eliot Marshall or the loser of the upcoming Ryan Bader-Jason Brilz matchup could suit him well.

Papy Abedi Loses to Thiago Alves by Submission in Round 1

Papy Abedi didn't get a warm welcome for his UFC debut versus Thiago Alves, and "The Pitbull" proved he had just too much for the 33-year-old when he submitted him in the very first round with a rear-naked choke.

Abedi came into the fight undefeated at 8-0, but against unknown competition. Fans got a taste of what he can offer, but he will have to wait longer to pick up his first UFC win.

The UFC will have to match him up with a winless fighter in the UFC, and it could end up being a fighter like James Head.

Brad Pickett Loses to Renan Barao by Submission in Round 1

Brad Pickett came up short in front of his hometown crowd, but he is still one of the top bantamweight fighters in the world.

His opponent, Renan Barao, showcased his sharp striking and excellent jiu-jitsu when he submitted the WEC veteran in the first round with a rear-naked choke.

Pickett still holds wins over fighters like Demetrious Johnson and Ivan Menjivar, so he can stay fighting the mid-tier bantamweight fighters. Fights with Eddie Wineland or Ian Loveland could be intriguing.

Chris Leben Loses to Mark Munoz by TKO in Round 2

Chris Leben couldn't capitalize on his quick knockout victory over Wanderlei Silva, falling to the heavy hands of Mark Munoz after two rounds of action in the main event.

Munoz was able to bloody his opponent around both of his eyes before Leben decided to call it quits inbetween the second and third round. "The Crippler" admitted he couldn't see, giving the contest an anticlimactic but definitive victory for Munoz.

Leben will always have a place in the UFC, but he might not be as good as his recent wins have indicated. A test for him to prove the fans wrong could come against Dan Miller, who is one of the toughest middleweights outside of Leben.