 His next fight in the UFC was a loss by TKO (injury) to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 84.He was subsequently released by the promotion.After a three-fight losing stint which included losses to future UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Lyoto Machida and Maurício Rua, Nakamura decided to debut at a new weight class Middleweight (185 lbs) after having spent his entire career at Light Heavyweight.