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MONDAY MATCHMAKER: UFC must book St-Pierre vs. Silva — and soon

Every Monday after an MMA fight weekend, The Post’s Marc Raimondi will take a look at the next potential matchup for the fighters who competed.

This week, he breaks down the competitors from Saturday’s UFC 154: St-Pierre vs. Condit.


GEORGES ST-PIERRE (def. Carlos Condit via unanimous decision)

This is an easy one. While there are a handful of interesting contenders in the welterweight division, they can wait. As UFC president Dana White said this weekend, St-Pierre against Anderson Silva would be “a legacy fight.” Without hyperbole, it would be the biggest fight in UFC history and considering Silva is 37 years old it’s expected that White will do everything in his power to make this happen and as soon as possible.

The UFC has already targeted May as a potential timeframe for the superfight, which will likely be at a catchweight – somewhere in the middle of GSP’s 170-poind weight class and Silva’s 185. White says the fight will go down either at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, the Rogers Centre in Toronto or a soccer stadium. This could be the fight that gives the UFC and sport another bump up in terms of mainstream acceptance.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Anderson Silva

CARLOS CONDIT (lost to Georges St-Pierre by unanimous decision)

There are no shortage of welterweights near the top of the division for Condit to face. While some people are calling for a rematch against Nick Diaz, I’d prefer they hold off even though their last battle was a razor-close decision in favor of Condit back in February. That’s because I’d really like a Diaz-Josh Koscheck fight sometime in early 2013 when Diaz gets back from his marijuana suspension.

Condit does have unfinished business with another contender. Martin Kampmann, who was knocked out by Johnny Hendricks on Saturday night, beat Condit by split decision in 2009 in what was a very tight battle – and Condit’s UFC debut. Stylistically, those two are similar and it would make for an awesome fight.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Martin Kampmann

JOHNNY HENDRICKS (def. Martin Kampmann via first-round knockout)

Hendricks is the No. 1 contender after pasting Kampmann with a thunderous left hand and I don’t think he’ll risk relinquishing that distinction if St-Pierre goes off to fight Silva. I expect Hendricks to wait for GSP and cash in on his title shot sometime in late 2013.

I never like that. Fighters need to stay active and get paid while they’re physically able. The winner of next month’s bout between Rory MacDonald and BJ Penn – likely to be the top prospect MacDonald – would present an excellent challenge for Hendricks. Then we’d get a true No. 1 contender waiting for St-Pierre next year.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Rory MacDonald-BJ Penn winner

FRANCIS CARMONT (def. Tom Lawlor via split decision)

I’ve been watching the UFC for a long time. I can’t recall someone doing less in a fight and still managing to earn a decision. Carmont was awful against Lawlor on Saturday night. He spent most of the fight up against the cage. Apparently, he’s already been booked to fight Riki Fukuda in Japan in March on a Fuel show. That’s a good place for him – away from cards that people have to pay for.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Riki Fukuda

RAFAEL DOS ANJOS (def. Mark Bocek via unanimous decision)

Dos Anjos looked like a completely different fighter Saturday night. He dominated jiu-jitsu wiz Bocek on the ground in impressive fashion. Now, the 28-year-old Brazilian is bordering on the top-10 lightweights in the world, which means he needs a top-10 opponent. Gray Maynard got hurt and had to pull out of a match with Joe Lauzon next month. That would make for an interesting matchup for dos Anjos.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Gray Maynard

PABLO GARZA (def. Mark Hominick via unanimous decision)

I still think Garza’s win over Hominick had more to do with Hominick then Garza. But a win is a win and he did it fair and square. It doesn’t mean Garza is ready to take the featherweight division by storm, though. He had lost two straight coming in. Another mid-level guy is in store for him next, probably on the prelims or a Fuel show.

Monday Matchmaker’s pick: Rani Yahya

mraimondi@nypost.com