UFC 140 Results: A Win over Tito Ortiz Leaves Questions for Rogerio Nogueira

Before you read this, let me make it perfectly clear that no matter what, you cannot question the toughness from both men after that bout at UFC 140.

Antonio Rogerio Nogueira defeated a game Tito Ortiz with swift kicks to the body that left the former UFC light heavyweight champion in a world of hurt afterwards.

When it comes down to it, "Lil Nog" is a legitimate threat in the 205-pound division, already in the top 10.

The question is has he earned his placement, and what has this win over one of the best ever done for his career?

Here are a couple of thoughts on that one.

Wins over Top 10 Opponents

Tito Ortiz is a great fighter, but when you look at the big picture, this win may have moved the Brazilian up one spot in the rankings.

With a stacked division, it's definitely hard to get a title shot nowadays, unless you are a former champion yourself.  Even Lyoto Machida had luck on his side when Rashad Evans went down to injury.

This win should help Nogueira get back into the thick of things in the light heavyweight division but the fact is, Ortiz isn't a top-10 fighter, and if you want a title shot, you need wins over guys ranked ahead of you. 

Phil Davis is the only top-10 fighter that Nogueira has faced since coming to the UFC, and he lost.

Ortiz has also been on a losing skid of his own since his wins over Ken Shamrock in 2006.  Since then, he has won one of his last eight fights and questions of his retirement are looming.

If "Lil Nog" wants more respect in the UFC, his next opponent needs to be a man who is in the top 10.

Coming Back from Adversity

After his first ever two-fight losing streak, Nogueira showed that he was ready to fight in Toronto against Tito Ortiz.

It's one thing to get a win and break a streak, but it's another to continue that streak.  Anyone can break a losing streak, get a win and fall back into the loss column, ask Tito.

Case in point, Nogueira has some work to do. Whether or not he's climbed the ladder, there are still plenty of opponents not in that top 10 that he has not faced at this point. And with a lineup of opponents for Jon Jones the length of a lineup at a Tim Horton's drive-thru at 8:00 a.m. on a Monday morning, "Lil Nog" isn't likely getting a shot at the belt anytime soon.

Again, one win is one thing.  A string of wins will get you places. If Nogueira can do what he did to Ortiz in his next bout, he will officially get over the hump and may get more fights against guys ranked higher. But until then, all he can do is wait.

I am not questioning the toughness of his last few opponents. I am just saying that if he wants to get places, Nogueira needs big wins over guys like Dan Henderson, Forrest Griffin and even Quinton Jackson.

What do you think?

Mark Pare is a UFC Featured Columnist. You can follow him on  Twitter and don't forget to check out his sportswriter page.

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.