UFC 129 Results: 6 Fights We Would Like To See Lyoto Machida in Next

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida was once one of the most feared and enigmatic strikers in the sport of mixed martial arts. However, after two straight losses (and some would argue three), it seemed as though the riddle of the karate master had been solved.

Thus, his fight against another former champion in Randy Couture at UFC 129 was crucial. If Machida lost, it may have been his last fight for the UFC; "The Dragon" was in hot water.

One epic crane kick later, all of that has changed. Machida has returned and has proved that he can bounce back from two tough losses.

Now, the question that begs to be asked is this: Who will Machida fight next?

The answer will likely not be known for some time, but there are seven key fighters that all fans of MMA would like to see Machida take on next.

Ryan Bader

Ryan Bader is of the younger generation of MMA fighters and was on the fast track to the title until he was derailed by current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones.

Bader is to face Tito Ortiz, a fighter from a bygone age, at UFC 132. Bader is expected by many to excel in this fight.

Machida-Bader would be an interesting match; MMA fans would see whether or not Machida can compete with the next generation of fighters and whether or not Bader is the "real deal."

Phil Davis

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Phil Davis is yet another member of the next generation as well as an elite wrestler. He recently managed to best another Brazilian, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, and is slated to face Rashad Evans at UFC 133.

A fight between Davis and Machida would have the same implications as a fight between Bader and Machida: It would be determined if Machida could withstand the might of the "new breed" and the abilities of Phil Davis would be shown.

However, Davis needs to get past Rashad Evans before this fight would make sense.

Forrest Griffin

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LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 21: Forrest Griffin celebrates his victory over Tito Ortiz after their Light Heavyweight Fight at the UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Fan favorite Forrest Griffin would present a very intriguing challenge for Machida.

Griffin is a large man, has a big reach, is aggressive, has solid stand-up skills and has a ground game that is famously noted to be underrated.

His style would match up interestingly with Machida's elusiveness and counter-punching.

Like Rua, Forrest needs to win for a fight with Machida to be ideal. Also like Rua, even if Griffin lost, a fight with Machida could still be done.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

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LAS VEGAS - MAY 28: UFC fighter Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson weighs in for his fight against UFC fighter Rashad Evans at UFC 114: Rampage versus Rashad at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on May 28, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Former UFC and Pride champion Quentin "Rampage" Jackson was involved in a close contest with Machida back at UFC 123.

There was considerable controversy in the MMA community over Jackson's decision victory; a second fight between the two would no doubt settle the matter once and for all.

Such a fight would provide an exciting main event or co-main event and would perhaps serve as a fight to determine who would challenge the winner of Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight title should Rashad Evans beat Phil Davis at UFC 133.

Even if Jackson loses to Matt Hamill at UFC 130, the fight with Machida would still be a good one and one that made sense in the overall context of the division.

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida (R) battles with UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (L) during their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, another former UFC and Pride champion, was the first man to hand Machida a loss and a knockout.

If they met in the Octagon again, it would be the third time. While some might loath seeing yet another rematch, a rubber match between the two Brazilian strikers would be exciting, sell pay-per-views and would finally determine who was really the better man.

But before this fight can happen, Rua has to get through yet another former champion, Forrest Griffin.

Nevertheless, a Machida-Rua III would still be interesting even if it occurred when Rua was coming off two losses.

Jon "Bones" Jones

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LAS VEGAS - JULY 11: (R-L) Jon Jones connects with a right punch on Jake O'Brein during their light heavyweight bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jones defeated O'Brein by second round tapout. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

While giving Machida a title shot against current light heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones is certainly unrealistic and unlikely to happen in the near future, few can say that they don't want to see the fight.

Jones is a wrestler with a massive reach who uses unorthodox strikes. Perhaps Machida's elusive karate striking will be the Achilles' heel of the "unstoppable" Jon Jones?

Unfortunately, we will likely not find out for quite some time, and the fight will remain as a "what if..." match for a while longer.