Nearly seven months after the fight was announced, UFC 183 finally saw Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz collide inside the octagon.

“The Spider’s” ability to return from one of the most gruesome injuries in UFC history was the main storyline going into Saturday’s event. Silva (34-6 MMA, 17-2 UFC) got the job done with a unanimous-decision victory over Diaz (24-10 MMA, 7-7 UFC), the former Strikeforce champion.

While all eyes were on UFC 183’s headliner, the remainder of the main card also provided some meaningful results as Tyron Woodley (15-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Al Iaquinta (11-3-1 MMA, 6-2 UFC), Thales Leites (25-4 MMA, 10-3 UFC) and Thiago Alves (21-9 MMA, 13-6 UFC) all recorded impressive victories.

After every event, fans wonder whom the winners will be matched up with next. And with another night of UFC action in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward, put on a pair of Joe Silva and Sean Shelby’s shoes, and play UFC matchmaker.

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Thiago Alves

Should fight: Tarec Saffiedine

Why they should fight: Although he was forced to rally from an early deficit, Alves returned from a nine-month layoff to TKO Jordan Mein in dramatic fashion. It’s been a bumpy road for the Brazilian over the past few years, but now he’s won two fights in a row and is on the high of his first finish due to strikes since 2008 (watch the Alves vs. Mein video highlights).

Alves declared he was “back” in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. If he can stay healthy consistently enough to fight on a regular basis, the welterweight division has plenty of exciting matchups for the former title challenger.

Saffiedine (15-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is one of those potentially exciting matchups. The former Strikeforce champion’s UFC tenure has been plagued by injuries, but if he can get his health in order and make the date for “The Pitbull,” the fans would be in for a battle with two of the division’s most technical strikers.

Thales Leites

Should fight: Gegard Mousasi

Why they should fight: It was only 17 months ago when Leites returned to the UFC as a washout former title challenger. Now he’s won five consecutive fights and is on the verge of once again challenging for a belt.

Leites had several opportunities to quit against Tim Boetsch, but he fought through adversity to lock up a second-round submission win and register the 10th triumphant performance of his UFC career.

The Brazilian deserves a big fight in the middleweight division. As suggested in UFC on FOX 14’s post-fight matchmaker piece, a bout with Mousasi is the fight to make and the one that can really show how far Leites has come.

Mousasi has struggled to find his stride in the UFC while alternating wins and losses over his five octagon appearances. However, his 70-second TKO win over Dan Henderson was his best UFC victory to date and could be the start of a streak of success.

Al Iaquinta

Should fight: Jorge Masvidal

Why they should fight: Since he first appeared on “TUF 15,” Iaquinta has shown the type of talent that could result in a special career. He’s had both setbacks and glimpses of brilliance since then, but in his recent three-fight winning streak, the 27-year-old has shown the full extent of his abilities.

Iaquinta battered and stopped UFC veteran Joe Lauzon for his third consecutive TKO win. In that stretch, the teammate of UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman has announced himself as one to watch at 155 pounds.

Lauzon was a step up in competition from anyone Iaquinta had previously fought, but the New Yorker was clearly ready for it. Now it’s only natural to continue to climb the ranks.

Masvidal (28-8 MMA, 6-1 UFC) would be a formidable test for Iaquinta. He’s fought some of the best lightweights in the world, and after Benson Henderson was shifted to face Brandon Thatch, Masvidal is without an opponent at UFC Fight Night 63 in April.

If Iaquinta is willing to make the quick turnaround and fill that spot, it would arguably represent the sternest challenge and biggest opportunity of his young career.

Tyron Woodley

Should fight: Injury replacement

Why they should fight: Woodley is in a position in the UFC welterweight division in which there’s not much room between him and the No. 1 spot. He’s established his place in the top five, but with the champion and other top contenders unavailable, he’s forced to wait for logical matchups to arise or take placeholder fights to keep his spot.

After handing Kelvin Gastelum his first loss, Woodley is surveying the division for what makes sense. He could fight a lower-ranked opponent like Rick Story, but at this point, he’s earned a little more.

The wisest option for Woodley at this point would be to stay prepared and wait for an opportunity to present itself. Champion Robbie Lawler is vacationing until summer, but in the interim, former champ Johny Hendricks (16-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) meets Matt Brown (19-12 MMA, 12-7 UFC) at UFC 185 while top contenders Rory MacDonald (18-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) and Hector Lombard (35-4-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC) face off at UFC 186.

If something happens to one of the four, Woodley is the highest-ranked welterweight available and could jump in.

Should all the fights go forward as planned, Woodley may be forced to sit on the sidelines and wait for a fight that makes sense. However, he would likely face one of the winners from UFC 185 or UFC 186, anyway.

Anderson Silva

Should fight: Georges St-Pierre or retirement

Why they should fight: Silva returned to the octagon from his broken leg and managed to outpoint Diaz for a relatively clear-cut unanimous-decision victory (watch the Silva vs. Diaz video highlights). In the performance, he proved he can still fight at a high level and is well past any mental blocks the injury may have caused.

“The Spider” made a successful comeback, but now what? Silva is still a diverse talent, but he didn’t look like the man who tore through competition en route to the most dominant championship run in UFC history. And at nearly 40, that’s fine.

Despite UFC President Dana White stating another middleweight title shot could be in Silva’s future, there’s not much evidence to suggest a third fight with champ Weidman would go any differently. Silva hinted post-fight that retirement is not out of the question, but if he does choose to continue, only one matchup should be a priority.

St-Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) is a fight that’s eluded both men for years. The former UFC welterweight champion is enjoying a semi-retirement of his own, but if he decides to come back within the next year, Silva is the most sensible matchup for both.

Silva and St-Pierre are two of the most well known names and accomplished fighters in UFC history. People have wanted to see them fight for years, and while it would be a touch beyond their primes if it does happen, it’s still one of the biggest fights the UFC can book.

While it would be nice for Silva to walk away from the sport on a high note with his win Diaz, the reality is he still has a UFC contract with 15 fights left. That’s a lot of money to be made.

For complete coverage of UFC 183, check out the UFC Events section of the site.