UFC 140 Results: Lyoto Machida Should Consider Moving to Middleweight

It seems like after every Jon Jones fight, we question whether or not the person he just beat should move down to middleweight.

However, Machida moving down to middleweight is more realistic that Jones' last two opponents, Shogun and Rampage.

Machida put on 22 pounds of muscle for this fight, and he was still able to weigh in at 204 pounds. Clearly, making weight was not an issue for Machida this time around, nor has it ever been.

If he lost some of that muscle, and did the cut the right way, Machida making middleweight is not out of the question.

If Machida dropped to middleweight, he would be an immediate title contender, as his speed and elusiveness would prove an issue for even the top middleweights.

Not only was it just the loss to Jones that should prompt Machida to drop to middleweight, but it is his recent record. In his past four fights, he is 1-3 with losses to Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson and Jones.

If Machida can't get past them, he's never going to get another title shot at light heavyweight ever again.

However, there is one big reason that Machida is unlikely to make the drop to middleweight, and that is his buddy, Anderson Silva—the current champion. Should Machida drop, he may be faced with a fight against Silva at some point.

Silva has already said that he wouldn't fight Machida, and it can be assumed Machida feels the same way.

If he can't win at light heavyweight and won't fight the champion at middleweight, what's left for Machida?

Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 140. B/R is your home for complete coverage of the December 10 fight card, including results and post-fight analysis.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @tmt2393.