The UFC's welterweight division got a whole lot more interesting with Rafael dos Anjos' dominant win against Robbie Lawler last weekend in Winnipeg. Is he for sure next in line for Tyron Woodley? What other matchups are most intriguing?
We asked our panel -- ESPN MMA reporter Brett Okamoto, ESPN MMA editor Greg Rosenstein, SportsCenter hosts Max Bretos and Phil Murphy, and digital contributor Eric Tamiso -- for their takes.
Brett Okamoto, ESPN MMA reporter
The welterweight fight I want to see most actually doesn't have anything to do with last weekend. It would be the champ, Tyron Woodley, facing the all-time great, Georges St-Pierre. If St-Pierre fights again, which is no guarantee, the one and only fight I want to see him in is against Woodley.
But honestly, I don't see that fight happening. So the three fights I would make right now at welterweight are: Woodley vs. Rafael dos Anjos for the championship; Stephen Thompson vs. Darren Till in a five-rounder (fast track for Till, but he looks ready); and Colby Covington vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio.
Greg Rosenstein, ESPN MMA editor
I kind of hate the idea of "superfights" that aren't for a belt, but Georges St-Pierre moving back to welterweight for a bout with Conor McGregor is arguably the best matchup the UFC can make right now. Neither fighter will compete in the Octagon unless it is of this caliber, and unfortunately for Tony Ferguson (at lightweight) and Tyron Woodley, they aren't big-enough draws. McGregor faced Nate Diaz at 170 pounds and it's a division GSP reigned over for years. MMA purists will no doubt be upset McGregor isn't defending his belt, but the amount of money this could generate is too much to pass up.
After watching Rafael dos Anjos completely dominate Robbie Lawler last week, I think he gets the next shot at the belt. Tyron Woodley said last week he will soon undergo shoulder surgery, so it could be a bit of a wait, but dos Anjos is willing to be patient for his chance at another title. His skill and technique is enough to force Woodley into a war, which (after two not-so-exciting fights in a row for the champion) fans want to see.
The UFC isn't happy about the possibility of creating a third Woodley-Thompson fight, and Darren Till could be the guy to prevent it. Till completely demolished Donald Cerrone in October and is someone Dana White sees as a potential future face of the organization. That said, Thompson looked great in November against Jorge Masvidal and in my opinion is a step up in competition from Cowboy. This "veteran vs. rising star" matchup is one I'd be excited about.
Phil Murphy, ESPN MMA contributor and SportsCenter host
GSP vs. Conor McGregor might be the biggest fight the UFC can make. McGregor headlined the top three pay-per-views in promotion history. St-Pierre, an all-time great mixed martial artist, would only fight again at welterweight once he recovers from ulcerative colitis. Though McGregor is a natural lightweight, his time away -- and expected additional time off after his Bellator 187 antics -- would allow him to naturally bulk to 170 pounds, like he did for the Nate Diaz rematch. Conor-GSP would break records.
There are no shortage of options for Tyron Woodley's next title defense. I give Rafael dos Anjos the nod over Colby Covington, because I think he's a marginally more troubling stylistic matchup. Covington's trash talk would be a lot of fun in the buildup and he's the fastest-rising name in the division. But RDA's attempt to join Randy Couture, BJ Penn, GSP and McGregor as multidivision champions is too good to pass up.
Stephen Thompson vs. Robbie Lawler is admittedly terrible matchmaking. It wouldn't be a title eliminator, but it would all but eliminate title hopes for the loser. Each fighter has a single win in his last three fights, and welterweight depth makes pitfalls both steep and readily available. Lawler's willingness to brawl could pair remarkably with Wonderboy's measured, precise approach. Those are enticing similarities to Lawler vs. Carlos Condit at UFC 195, a Fight of the Year consideration.
Eric Tamiso, ESPN MMA contributor
Two of the fights I'd love to see the UFC make have title implications: Colby Covington vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio and Stephen Thompson vs. Darren Till. If RDA is in line for the next shot and decides to sit out until Tyron Woodley returns, these bouts will declutter the list of contenders while providing entertaining fights. Ponzinibbio has won six straight and can take the next step against a top-five fighter in Covington, who would attempt to offend another South American country. As for Thompson-Till, this style matchup between two kickboxers intrigues me. With Thompson listed as the UFC's top-ranked contender, I can't imagine him ever getting another title shot as long as Woodley is champ, so throw him into the fire with an up-and-comer who started to make a name of himself by dominating Donald Cerrone.
The third one features Robbie Lawler and Mike Perry. This. Fight. Must. Happen. The two fighters are a combined 4-4 in their last eight bouts, but who cares? Every time they step inside the Octagon it's a must-see attraction. Even this past Saturday, with both of them down on the cards respectively, they kept plugging along with never-say-die attitudes. Make it three rounds or five, just please make this happen.
Max Bretos, ESPN MMA contributor and SportsCenter host
Post-UFC Winnipeg, the welterweight division is almost cloudier than it was going in. Let's start from No. 3 and move to the title fight.
Darren Till wanted to fight Mike Perry, and heavens knows I want(ed) to see that. I would also love to see Till vs. Stephen Thompson and absolutely would more than anything like to see Till face Colby Covington. Just thinking of those two facing off quickens my pace. Till does not have a high-enough ranking for that yet, so let's partner him up with the man who beat Perry, Santiago Ponzinibbio. The winner there is one fight away from a title shot.
Covington is talking the talk and has certainly backed up what he has said. I don't think there is any rush to give him Woodley, yet, and the UFC can rely on him to draw in fans as a co-main event fighter. Let's line him up with Wonderboy for a No. 1 contender spot.
A Woodley vs. Rafael dos Anjos fight for the welterweight strap doesn't get me as excited as GSP or others facing the champ, but man, RDA has earned this spot, and UFC needs to give it to him.