UFC 140 Results: Is Rogerio Nogueira a Top 10 Light Heavyweight?

The UFC's light heavyweight division is the deepest in the entire company. Before current champion Jon Jones won the title at UFC 128, the light heavyweight belt seemed to be changing ownership every time it was up for grabs. 

Recently, some of the more well-known fighters in the division have hit a slump, such as Forrest Griffin and Randy Couture.

Others, like Ryan Bader and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, have been heating up lately.

Rogerio Noguiera was victorious last night at UFC 140, beating former champion Tito Ortiz by TKO.

We all realize that Tito now is not the Tito that we've grown up watching, but after Nogueira's dominant win over him last night, it may be safe to say that "Little Nog" is finally out of his twin brother's shadow and has become one of he the UFC's elite fighters at 205.

But in a division as deep as light heavyweight, can Nogueira even be included in the top 10? 

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.

1. Jon Jones

Light heavyweight champion Jonny "Bones" Jones is a rare breed of MMA fighter. 

Specializing in Muay Thai kickboxing, Jones has a vast arsenal of strikes, all of which are thrown with tremendous knockout power.

Last night at UFC 140, Jones was able to show off his grappling talents as well, when he submitted former champion and karate black belt Lyoto Machida with a guillotine choke in the second round.

The youngest UFC champion in history, Jon Jones has defended his title twice now, something many of his most recent predecessors were unable to do even once.

2. Rashad Evans

A tremendous boxer with a wrestling background as well, former-champion "Sugar" Rashad Evans throws some of the strongest punches in the entire light heavyweight division.

Evans entered the UFC when he won the second season of The Ultimate Fighter and won himself a six-figure contract to fight in the heavyweight division.

Rashad chose to cut down to light heavyweight soon after, and it has proven to be a great decision. Currently with a record of 21-1-1, Evans won the title via third-round TKO against Forrest Griffin. He lost the belt to Machida in his first defense, but to this day, that is the only professional loss that he has yet to suffer.

Evans is scheduled to fight against Phil Davis in January when UFC comes to FOX network for the second time. The winner will then have a shot at Jon Jones.

3. Dan Henderson

The Brett Favre of the UFC, 41-year-old Dan Henderson is a hero to middle-aged men everywhere. "Hendo," as he's called, has been on a tear as of late, racking up big win after big win.

After a four-fight stint with Strikeforce, where he was able to easily win the light heavyweight crown and also defeat a once-unbeatable Fedor Emilianenko, Henderson returned to the UFC. 

Upon return, the former Olympic wrestler was able to win a five-round decision over former champion Mauricio Rua.

Henderson has been outstanding lately, but it's anybody's guess as to how long this guy can actually keep fighting.

4. Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida is one of the most unique strikers in all of MMA.

His karate background is so uncommon that many times fighters find it difficult to train for him because nobody can mimic his style and still be effective.

Lyoto won the light heavyweight crown by knocking out Rashad Evans, squaring off in a battle of un-beatens. Machida lost the belt to Mauricio Rua in the following fight, but Machida still carries an impressive 17-3 record.

At UFC 140, Machida became the first person to really challenge Jon Jones, hurting him early in the first before Jones was able to lock up a choke and submit him.

5. Quinton Jackson

"Rampage," as he's known by many, has some of the strongest punches in all of MMA. With 14 of his 32 wins coming by knockout, one clean shot can finish even the best fighters.

Quinton Jackson was Jon Jones' first victim after  "Bones" won his light heavyweight crown. Before that, though, Jackson earned two very tough decision victories over Machida and Matt Hamill.

Jackson lost a very un-entertaining decision to his bitter rival Rashad Evans at UFC 114. The two had previously been coaches on The Ultimate Fighter, where their already bitter rivalry was only strengthened.

With some of the heaviest hands in the sport, "Rampage" can never be counted out of a fight, because for him, all he really needs is one solid right to finish a fight. 

Mauricio Rua

Former-champion Mauricio Rua had his best days fighting in Japan for PRIDE, but has had a terrific career in the UFC as well.

A jiu-jitsu specialist from Brazil, Rua is 8-3 in his last 11 fights. He has had to face some very talented fighters in those fights, though, with all three of those losses coming to somebody already higher than him on this list.

With a career record of 20-6, Rua became the only fighter in UFC history to win back-to-back KO victories against UFC Hall-of-Famers, when he knocked out both Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell.

He also has 17 victories by KO, so it's not only his submissions that his opponents must worry about.

7. Phil Davis

"Mr. Wonderful," Phil Davis is 9-0 in his MMA career. He signed with the UFC in late 2009 and has since racked up an impressive five straight victories inside the octagon.

His most recent win came via decision over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

A former wrestler for the Penn State Nittany Lions, Davis is a tremendous grappler with an arsenal fully equipped with takedowns, throws and submissions. 

Davis was expected to face Machida at UFC 140; however, shortly after, it was discovered that Davis was still recovering from a knee injury and that the bout would not take place.

Davis is expected to face Rashad Evans on January 28, 2012 to see who will fight Jon Jones for a shot at the light heavyweight crown.

8. Ryan Bader

A decorated wrestler at Arizona State, Ryan Bader entered the UFC without a loss after winning The Ultimate Fighter under coach Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Bader is now 6-2 in the UFC, falling victim to only Tito Ortiz and Jon Jones.

At UFC 119, Bader won a decision over his former coach's brother, Rogerio Nogueira. He's also defeated the likes of Keith Jardine and Jason Brilz.

Equipped with terrific takedowns and ground attacks, the 28-year-old Bader has a bright future in the UFC to say the least.

9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

"Little Nog" has always seemed to be under the shadow of his twin brother, who has been a world-class heavyweight for years. At UFC 140 last night, the whole world got to see them both in action, and the 205-lb. Nogueira was the only brother that escaped with a victory. 

Little Nog won an impressive TKO over the legend Tito Ortiz, in which many believed may have been Tito's last hoorah. His brother, on the other hand, had his arm snapped in two by a Frank Mir kimura arm-lock.

Rogerio is now 20-5 in mixed martial arts and multiple impressive wins over the years. He's beaten Alistair Overeem twice, who is soon to trade blows with the giant Brock Lesnar. He's also earned impressive victories over Vladamir Matyushenko and Dan Henderson as well.

Unfortunately, both Brazilian twins are now 35, and the larger one, Antonio Rodrigo, may soon be leaving the UFC. If Rogerio's decisive win over Ortiz was any sort of sign, though, "Little Nog" surely has a few more great years of fighting left.

10. Forrest Griffin

The original "Ultimate Fighter," Forrest Griffin has been a fan favorite for years. Griffin always seems to put every ounce of energy he has into all of his fights, and even fights better once his opponent draws blood.

To many fight fans today, the greatest UFC fight was between Griffin and Stephan Bonner at the finale of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, with both men pouring their heart into the fight; fighting desperately for a six-figure UFC contract.

Sadly, Griffin is only 2-2 since losing his title to Rashad Evans in 2008, with both victories coming against old veterans Ortiz and Rich Franklin.

Griffin is a madman in the ring, who is quite capable of fighting off of his back with jiu-jitsu. Until he can get back to his winning ways, though, Griffin cannot be considered an elite fighter like he once was. 

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.