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5 Potential Opponents For Phil Davis After Huge Win Over Glover Teixeira

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By @DanDudleyJr

5 Potential Opponents For Phil Davis After Huge Win Over Glover Teixeira.

Phil Davis
Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Davis is the No. 5 ranked UFC light heavyweight and is coming off from one of the biggest wins of his career against Glover Teixeira in his home country of Brazil. He's knocking on the door for a title shot and may need one or two more victories. Here are five potential opponents the UFC could match him up with.

5. Rafael Cavalcante

Rafael Cavalcante
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

5. Rafael Cavalcante

Rafael Cavalcante
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Rafael Cavalcante is the No. 12 ranked UFC light heavyweight and is on the rise through the division. Despite losing his last fight, Cavalcante is a very exciting prospect within the division, with 12 MMA wins to his name, all 12 by way of knockout. If Phil Davis can prevent Cavalcante's game with his superior wrestling and submissions, this makes for a potentially good matchup.

4. Fabio Maldonado

Fabio Maldonado
Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

4. Fabio Maldonado

Fabio Maldonado
Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Fabio Maldonado is another Brazilian and is the No. 14 ranked light heavyweight. He's technically one of the best boxers in mixed martial arts today and would prove a big test for Davis. However, if Davis can utilize his game plan and show that his striking has improved, a victory over Maldonado could set him up for a title shot.

3. Ryan Bader

Ryan Bader
Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

3. Ryan Bader

Ryan Bader
Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Bader sits two spots below Davis in the rankings and is an elite level wrestler. His striking is drastically improving, and he's currently riding a three fight win streak where he's dominated three very stylistically different opponents and won via unanimous decisions. If Davis can beat Bader, a similar fighter to himself sitting close to him in the rankings, he will elevate closer to a title shot.

2. Ovince St. Preux

Ovince St. Preux
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

2. Ovince St. Preux

Ovince St. Preux
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Ovince St. Preux is still celebrating the biggest win of his career when he knocked out Shogun Rua in Round 1. He's gone up to No. 9 in the light heavyweight rankings and is ready for even bigger challenges. Both competitors are new challenges to dominant champion Jon Jones, and this bout could very well happen in early 2015.

1. Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

1. Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

A potential bout with Rashad Evans would be a rematch. Davis lost their first encounter in what was his first MMA career loss and a title eliminator bout. Evans is looking for a top contender in his return from injury, and this potential rematch is perfect both. If Davis can defeat one of the best in the world and a previous UFC light heavyweight champion, he will prove that he is ready for a deserved title shot.

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