I think after Yan/Sterling happens, winner of TJ/Cory should be getting the next shot (I think Cory would have got it had that first Yan/Sterling fight not ended by DQ). I think Fonts win has put him up into that top 5 mix, so would say he should be fighting loser of TJ/Cory or loser of the title fight - a win then lines him up for the next title shot after that.
Merabs grappling should trouble most of the division if they can't stuff him consistently. I think he needs another fight or two before he's getting into the title shot picture though - I'd match Merab up for his next fight versus either Marlon Moraes or Dom Cruz. Both are ranked slightly higher than Merab so a step up in competition for him and a taste of that elite level fighter, whilst still being winnable fights for him.
For Moraes, it would work be a step down from his recent opponents (ranking wise at least) which makes sense given 1-3. Merab also isn't a huge KO threat, so it gives him the chance to get back in there without ending up on the wrong side of a highlight reel finish, poses a different fighting style to what he's been used to recently whilst still being high up enough in the rankings to be a relevant fight for him to bounce back. Dangerous fight for him also in a different way though, as Merabs style would seemingly be dangerous given Moraes fades in fights. I'd be pushing for it if I was Merab, Moraes is a name and I think probably the easiest guy in the top 10 for him to beat (that's not already matched up).
Similarly, for Cruz, I think it'd be a good test for Merab - a tricky fighter on the feet with solid wrestling of his own whilst being a big name. Neither are really likely to finish each other and both are known for their cardio, it'd be a difficult fight for both and I think add a lot of insight into what level both are at. Only issue with this would be Cruz is probably looking for a bigger fight at this stage of his career if he's going to make one more run at the title, but it's a higher ranked guy than his last fight which wasn't a one sided win, so again kinda makes sense.