What's next for UFC 256 winners?

Another UFC event is in the books.

Deiveson Figueiredo retained his flyweight title in a thriller, an ascending lightweight rose to contention, a promising middleweight took out a perennial contender, and a heavyweight up-and-comer made the next leap by defeating a former champion.

Here's what should come next for the notable winners from Saturday's UFC 256.

Deiveson Figueiredo

Result: Majority draw versus Brandon Moreno
Should fight: Cody Garbrandt

Figueiredo-Moreno was exciting, but there shouldn't be a rush to schedule a rematch.

The promotion should put Moreno in a position to win and work his way toward another title shot. After all, Saturday's fight would've ended in Figueiredo winning - even including the third-round point deduction - had it not been for judge Junichiro Kamijo bizarrely scoring the fifth round for Moreno.

There's a high-profile matchup waiting for Figueiredo, and this is the perfect time to reschedule a clash against Cody Garbrandt.

Figueiredo was slated to fight Garbrandt in his first title defense in November, but he ended up facing Alex Perez - a rightful challenger, unlike Garbrandt - after the former bantamweight champion withdrew.

Figueiredo-Garbrandt was an unjustified booking at the time because Garbrandt has never competed in the flyweight division. But there's no longer a clear-cut No. 1 contender after Figueiredo fended off Perez and Moreno in the span of 21 days. Few would be against Garbrandt getting the next title shot because it wouldn't feel like he'd be jumping the line as much as before.

Let's see if Figueiredo can pass the test against a bigger man in Garbrandt. If he does, and if Moreno returns to the win column, then we can circle back for a highly anticipated rematch.

Charles Oliveira

Defeated: Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision
Should fight: Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier winner

Oliveira should be next in line for a shot at the UFC lightweight title. It's that simple.

It's tough to say if he'll get the opportunity because the division is loaded with contenders (as always), and Oliveira isn't a huge name. But he absolutely deserves it after taking out the division's boogeyman.

Assuming Khabib Nurmagomedov eventually relinquishes the belt, Oliveira's title fight should come against the winner of Conor McGregor versus Dustin Poirier, which takes place Jan. 23.

Both potential matchups would be fascinating. Oliveira could threaten McGregor and Poirier with his jiu-jitsu, and they would hold the edge over Oliveira in the stand-up department. It would be an intriguing clash of styles either way.

The only other option that makes sense for Oliveira is a fight against Justin Gaethje, the No. 1-ranked lightweight.

"Do Bronx" has paid his dues and is riding an eight-fight winning streak, and dominating Ferguson is a hell of a feat. Give him what he deserves.

Kevin Holland

Defeated: Ronaldo Souza by first-round knockout
Should fight: Derek Brunson

Holland needs a big step up in competition after his violent knockout win over Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.

That victory was his best career UFC performance, and now it's time to find out if "Trailblazer" can be a legitimate middleweight division contender. Brunson is the perfect test.

The No. 7-ranked contender is often used as a measuring stick for emerging talents. For instance, Brunson shut down the previously undefeated Edmen Shahbazyan in his last bout.

Whether he likes it or not, Brunson is the division's elite gatekeeper. If you beat him, you're a title contender. If you lose, you aren't ready to rise up.

So, let's see where the No. 15-ranked Holland stands. The charismatic prospect deserves a chance to establish his place in the upper echelon of the weight class. And if Brunson wins, then it's time for him to finally get another top-five opponent.

Ciryl Gane

Defeated: Junior dos Santos by second-round TKO
Should fight: Jairzinho Rozenstruik

This is the obvious next matchup for Gane.

The surging heavyweight earned the biggest victory of his career against former champ Dos Santos, and now he'll look to secure one more win to become a title contender. That should come against the No. 3-ranked Rozenstruik.

Rozenstruik is also coming off a TKO win over Dos Santos. He's definitely a top contender, but Rozenstruik isn't in an ideal position with Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes clearly ahead of him in the title picture.

Ngannou will likely get booked against champion Stipe Miocic, and Blaydes is expected to reschedule a fight against Derrick Lewis. Meanwhile, Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov are set to face off in February. That leaves Rozenstruik and Gane as the only top contenders without an opponent.

The heavyweight division is slow-moving, with the belt only defended twice over the past two years. So Rozenstruik versus Gane might not guarantee the winner a title shot. But it would further cement one of them as an elite fighter, which is just as important.