Machida to get the next crack at the light heavyweight title | UFC NEWS
Though he didn’t likely win over any new fans, Lyoto Machida’s performance at UFC 157 did earn him something much more important; another crack at the light heavyweight title.
Machida won a 29-28, 29-28, 28-29 split decision over Dan Henderson last Saturday
UFC president Dana White confirmed during the UFC 157 post-fight press conference that Machida will earn the next title shot against the winner of Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen.
“He just beat the number one contender, which would make him the number one contender,” said White. “Dan Henderson is one of the toughest guys in the sport. You don’t knock Dan Henderson out. Lyoto took some big shots from Dan. Dan took some big shots from Lyoto. It wasn’t a barnburner. It wasn’t the most exciting fight you’ve ever seen. You won’t be writing stories about this fight until the end of time, but Lyoto won the fight. He beat the number one contender. He beat Dan Henderson.”
Jones and Sonnen will square off at UFC 159 on April 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., with the light heavyweight title on the line.
Prior to the Machida/Henderson bout, White said that the winner would be the number one contender. But that fight was less than epic and some thought that would open up the door for the winner of Alexander Gustafsson and former Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi, slated for April 6.
Machida lost to Jones on Dec. 11, 2011 via guillotine choke.
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if machida/hendo was main event, he wouldve been outraged and quick to throw his usual fit, and wouldve given the opportunity to someone else.
i agree.. but i think lyoto machida will beat jon jones in a 2nd fight
maybee…… im sure machida was playing it safe to ensure his shot at title contention. i hope he has an answer to jones otherwise it’ll be another tough loss for him…….
If Gus vs Mous is an exciting fight, he will give the winner of that too Jones. Does anyone think Machida has any chance of becoming champ at 05? The only way for Machida to beat Jones is to try and do exactly what he did with Hendo. Runaway and try to score more points than Jones and hope the judges gift him a win. Won’t work though Jones will chase his ass and beat him up again. I just hope he KO’s Machida this time. The only fight I am interested in seeing is Machida fighting Silva at 85.
Although i think machida has a better shot then your giving him i think everyhting else you said is right. i deff think gus vs mous is gonna be a more exciting fight. gus should take it and if he does i think he should atleast get to fight the next best in line to machida or over take the number one spot for sure. gus is a beast and has the reach to contend with bones. Also machida vs silva would be the single most dangerous fight for silva. thats the kind of fight that would give everyone the chill cuz they know machida has what it takes to atleast put anderson in trouble more then anyone else in his devision. regardless if machida gets the shot, if he loses he will drop to 185.
Gustafson should get the next shot.
The Mauler is the man to challenge JBJ but needs a couple more fights to be truly ready. Has great stand up but still has some holes with his ground game and take down which JBJ will exploit. A win over Mous then maybe Sonnen after he loses would be the right prep. I do think he can beat Jones though just not now.
i think jimi manuwa is the man to beat jon jones