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Fight Forecast: Matches to make after UFC Halifax

Tom Szczerbowski / USA TODAY Sports

After UFC Fight Night 105, theScore's Themistoklis Alexis picks which matchups should be made for the evening's biggest winners.

Derrick Lewis vs. Overeem-Hunt winner

Booking fights for a roster of 500-plus fighters is no easy feat, but Derrick Lewis did the UFC matchmakers a solid Sunday night.

After pounding Travis Browne into oblivion in the heavyweight main event, "The Black Beast" called out Mark Hunt, who currently sits one spot above him in the heavyweight rankings at No. 7. "The Super Samoan" is set to face Alistair Overeem in two weeks' time at UFC 209, and whoever gets their hand raised would gladly oblige Lewis' "swangin' and bangin'" tendencies.

Watch: Lewis mauls Browne for comeback 2nd-round KO in UFC Halifax main event

Sara McMann vs. Raquel Pennington

McMann made short work of Gina Mazany, but since she was expected to do exactly that to the short-notice newcomer, the title shot she called for postfight remains out of arm's reach.

The 36-year-old has quietly mounted a three-fight win streak, but assuming Valentina Shevchenko challenges Amanda Nunes for the bantamweight strap as expected, odds are McMann gets booked in a title eliminator against fifth-ranked Raquel Pennington, a winner of four straight. "Rocky" is reportedly out of commission until the summer with a shoulder injury, so expect the Olympian to meet Sunday's original opponent Liz Carmouche if her patience wears thin.

Recap: McMann taps Mazany in 74 seconds for 3rd straight win

Randa Markos vs. Felice Herrig

"Quiet Storm" proved there are no tune-up fights in MMA, as she upset the UFC's first ever strawweight champ and "TUF 20" nemesis Carla Esparza by split decision on Sunday's prelims.

Markos was unranked and flirting with the chopping block heading into the grudge match, and now that she's knocked off the No. 3 115-pounder in the world, who better to lock horns with next than Esparza's close friend Felice Herrig?

Recap: Ponzinibbio outstrikes Taleb, Markos upsets Esparza in UFC Halifax prelims

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Nelson-Jouban winner

Ponzinibbio went into his date with Nordine Taleb hoping a win would net him a ranked opponent. Now that he's held up his end, all he has to do is wait until March 18 to learn his fate.

Now riding a four-fight win streak and boasting a 6-2 UFC record, "Gente Boa" should intently watch the promotion's upcoming London show, where ninth-ranked Gunnar Nelson will face Alan Jouban in the co-main event.

The welterweight division may be stacked, but the title picture could use some new blood to break up the logjam of seasoned vets. Ponzinibbio, Nelson, and Jouban all fit the bill. Book it.

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