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Fight Forecast: Matches to make after UFC on FOX 20

Bill Streicher / USA TODAY

After UFC on FOX 20, theScore's Alexander K. Lee picks which matchups should be made for the night's biggest winners.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Julianna Pena

With her eye-opening decision win over Holly Holm on Saturday, Valentina Shevchenko kept the chaos rolling in the women's bantamweight division.

Shevchenko knocked off the No. 2-ranked women's bantamweight to place herself firmly in the mix at the top of the division, and the most logical matchup for her would be with the equally fast-rising Julianna Pena.

The only sticking point is that Pena has done more than enough to earn herself a shot at the 135-pound title currently held by Amanda Nunes. Shevchenko wants another shot at Nunes, too, but if the UFC pegs the more famous Ronda Rousey or Miesha Tate for a championship match, Shevchenko and Pena might have to settle for each other.

Edson Barboza vs. Tony Ferguson or Khabib Nurmagomedov

In his past two fights, Edson Barboza can claim victories over former UFC champion Anthony Pettis and former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.

The bad news for Barboza is that there is a glut of worthy challengers at 155 pounds, including Rafael dos Anjos, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Tony Ferguson. Add to the fact that the current lightweight champion is Barboza's friend and training partner Eddie Alvarez, and you can understand the pickle the matchmakers are in with the talented Brazilian.

Up next for Barboza will probably be yet another tough fight against either the No. 1-ranked Nurmagomedov or a rematch with Ferguson to follow up on their 2015 Fight of the Year candidate.

Whichever fighter doesn't get Alvarez will get Barboza.

Francis Ngannou vs. Daniel Omielanczuk

Francis Ngannou added Bojan Mihajlovic to his list of UFC conquests that he's busted up and taken out before the final bell. Undefeated in three Octagon appearances, it's time for a step-up in competition.

Another heavyweight on a three-fight win streak is Poland's Daniel Omielanczuk. The 33-year-old big man is a submission specialist who is also willing to throw hands when the situation calls for it.

Physically speaking, he's potentially another undersized heavyweight for Ngannou to walk through, but he also has six fights in the UFC, which is the kind of experienced challenge Ngannou needs going forward.

Darren Elkins vs. Brian Ortega

Darren Elkins continues to be one of the more underrated fighters at featherweight. He once owned a five-fight UFC win streak, has never lost back-to-back contests, and won for the 10th time at 145 pounds after controlling Godofredo Pepey for three rounds.

The matchmakers are loathe to spotlight Elkins due to his tendency to put on methodical, grinding performances. What he needs is an opponent who will put the pressure on him and force him into action.

No other featherweight fits that bill better than Brian Ortega. Even though Ortega can be somewhat of a slow starter, his absurd stretch of three straight third-round finishes guarantees Elkins won't be able to simply ride out a decision.

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