If Jon Jones defends his title at UFC 145, then his next fight is certain: Hendo is already waiting. And by the time that fight happens, another challenger will have had time to emerge. Or to be pushed, Hardy-style, into a massacre.

But if Jon Jones loses against Rashad, who in the elegant universe could he be matched up against next?

He's already smushed most of the top 10 in the division. The only one of those matches possibly worthy of a re- is Jones/Machida, but that will only happen after Lyoto picks up a nice win streak culminating in some heretofore unknown finishing move. So let's set aside Machida, Shogun, Rampage, Bader.

Jones won't get the immediate rematch with Rashad, because Rashad will be fighting the aforementioned Hendo. It won't be Jon's style to hang around for the winner even if he gets the offer.

Now, there are two prospects, Gustaffson and Davis, who a) haven't met Jones yet, and b) almost definitely will meet Jones someday. But I would assume that Dana and Joe Silva want to save those inevitable meetups for title fights. They could very reasonably assume that Bones will get the belt back and need challengers, and if so, Alex and Phil are prime candidates needing protection so that they can encounter Jon for the first time at UFC 170 or whatever.

So what do you say, folks? How can you matchmake Jonathan Bones in a universe where Rashad beats him? Honestly, the best I can think of is Hendo taking a shot at Silva or Junior, leaving Rashad open for the rematch.