UFC 128 Results: Five Fights Mauricio Shogun Rua Should Take To Regain His Title

When the betting lines came out for UFC 128's main event, many were surprised to find that the young Jon Jones was favored over the more experienced Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

Those people were likely even more shocked to see the ease with which Jones dethroned Rua as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

Now, Rua will have to shift his focus from defending his title to earning another shot at capturing it. With plenty of big names at the top of the light heavyweight division, there are a number of options for Rua's next opponent.

Here are the five options that would make the most sense for Rua. 

Ryan Bader

Although they were both dominated by Jon Jones, Ryan Bader and Mauricio Rua are both still top light heavyweights in the UFC.

With both fighters coming off of losses, this match-up would ensure that one fighter would be back in the mix for a title shot with a win.

Rich Franklin

Another light heavyweight who lost his last fight, Rich Franklin would make for another interesting opponent for Rua.

Franklin has dismissed any rumors about him retiring after his loss to Forrest Griffin.

Both former UFC champions, the winner of this fight would be right back in talks of getting a title shot. The fight would be Franklin's sixth straight against a former UFC or Pride champion.

Randy Couture

After capturing the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Lyoto Machida, Mauricio Rua made no secret that he hoped to make his first title defense against Randy Couture.

Couture echoed Rua's wishes by saying that he would also like the fight.

Of course, it would help the importance of this fight if Couture is able to win his fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 129. However, this fight would still be a promotable fight even if Couture loses to Machida.

Lyoto Machida

The UFC loves a good rubbermatch. Mauricio Rua probably wouldn't be in favor of fighting Lyoto Machida for the third time in four fights, but it is a definite possibility.

After losing to Machida in a controversial decision in their first fight, Rua took the second fight between these two fighters with a first round knockout.

If Machida is able to defeat Randy Couture at UFC 129, a third fight with Rua would have the winner right back on track to fighting for the belt. 

Quinton Jackson

Mauricio Rua met Quinton Jackson while he was with Pride in April 2005. Rua ended up winning that fight by a technical knockout as a result of soccer kicks.

Whether Jackson wins or loses to Matt Hamill at UFC 130, this fight would still make sense either way. UFC is willing to give Jackson every opportunity fight for a title and a fight against Rua would be just that.

UFC 128: Shogun Rua vs. Jon Jones: Results, News and More

Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @BR_Sean_Smith