UFC 129 Fight Card: Whats Next for Lyoto Machida If He Falls to "The Natural?"

Bleacher Report's Tim Davey:

When Lyoto Machida enters the Octagon to square off with Randy Couture at UFC 129, he will be under more pressure than he has been under in his career to date.

After two losses in a row (the only two of his career), ?The Dragon? finds himself in the unfamiliar situation of needing a win to stay in his divisions elite.

So, whats next for the former champion?

If Machida is able to beat Randy Couture then he will face a high-quality opponent and will not be far away from another title shot. An especially dominant victory could even result in him being thrown into a title eliminator fight later this year, such is the goodwill he built during an eight-fight unbeaten start to his UFC career.

Quentin Jackson, Phil Davis and Rashad Evans are all currently closer to a title shot than Machida. However, if he defeats ?The Natural? then he should leapfrog the loser of the upcoming Evans/Davis bout.

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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/647187-ufc-129-fight-card-st-pierre-vs-shields-odds-predictions-analysis-and-news/entry/72229-ufc-129-fight-card-whats-next-for-lyoto-machida-if-he-falls-to-the-natural

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