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http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns War Page!!!!!!!

OK, good. TUF usually keeps fighters inactive for far too long, but in this case doesn't seem bad. Rashad would be on track for a December fight anyway.

Saw this earlier, would love to see Evans get his ass kicked again.

Who could Lyoto be facing? Winner of Bisping vs Henderson? Shogun? Griffin? Jardine?

cowboyronnie wrote:Who could Lyoto be facing? Winner of Bisping vs Henderson? Shogun? Griffin? Jardine?

I would guess winner of Bisping/Hendo.

1) Bisping/Hendo winner
2) Forrest if he beats Anderson
3) Shogun

I'd actually bet on Shogun getting the nod immediately. Though that would be two Portuguese speakers in a main event, so IDK.

I heard 2 different rumors, one was Shogun. The other was that Rampage would be done taping his season in september, and he would fight Lyoto, with Rashad fighting the winner.

SpReEfOrAlL wrote:I heard 2 different rumors, one was Shogun. The other was that Rampage would be done taping his season in september, and he would fight Lyoto, with Rashad fighting the winner.

I'd like to know why Rashad would get a rematch for 205 belt, but Forrest has yet to be thought of. IMO Forrest should fight for 205 belt again before Rashad. Both lost the belt in their first title defense.

A Shogun fight is way "sexier", my money would be on a Shogun/Machida fight to headline the UFC's end of the year show. I cant see anyone in the current crop of LHW's beating Machido, but if anyone does it might be Shogun, we've yet to see someone really assault Lyoto's legs. I can see Shogun maybe taking a leg out and then move in for the kill.

Shogun would most definitely be the biggest challenge to Machida. I can't see why Rashad would get another shot so soon; Forrest would have to be ahead of him in line - especially if he takes out Anderson.

I think it's either Shogun or Bisping/Hendo. Hope Hendo wins that fight, by the way. Would be fun to see him against Machida.

Forrest doesn't need to beat Anderson to be considered

If Forrest beats Silva, he should (and would IMO) get the shot.

I don't think Bisping and Hendo are in the mix, isn't that fight for a shot at Silva at 185? I guess either one could go back up to 205, especially Henderson, who is likely going to win anyway. If Bisping wins though, I think he's definitely fighting Silva.

Shogun is probably the leading candidate, but as much as people are warming up to both guys, I'm not sure the UFC will put on a Machida vs. Shogun main event to lead a PPV. I could see that being a co main event with another more marketable fight though.

Another possibility could be Rich Franklin if he beats Wandy convincingly. He's coming off a loss to Hendo, but he's a guy with a high enough profile that if he gets one impressive win, they could sell him as a contender. He's probably still top 7-8 right now, maybe up to 5 with a win.

Rashad vs. Rampage should be a really good season though. What weight class is it? HW?

ugh, there's noone worthy to take on Machida at this time. Shogun? wtf has he prove except one good fight. This TUF 10 debacle with Rampage being the coach just makes it worse. I hope UFC doesn't go the usual coach vs coach route and pits Rampage against Machida instead.

CPT wrote:If Forrest beats Silva, he should (and would IMO) get the shot.

I don't think Bisping and Hendo are in the mix, isn't that fight for a shot at Silva at 185? I guess either one could go back up to 205, especially Henderson, who is likely going to win anyway. If Bisping wins though, I think he's definitely fighting Silva.

Shogun is probably the leading candidate, but as much as people are warming up to both guys, I'm not sure the UFC will put on a Machida vs. Shogun main event to lead a PPV. I could see that being a co main event with another more marketable fight though.

Another possibility could be Rich Franklin if he beats Wandy convincingly. He's coming off a loss to Hendo, but he's a guy with a high enough profile that if he gets one impressive win, they could sell him as a contender. He's probably still top 7-8 right now, maybe up to 5 with a win.

Rashad vs. Rampage should be a really good season though. What weight class is it? HW?

I thought Machida/Rampage was already in the bag? But I'd be happy either way. The only reason I was a tad bummed when Machida wrecked Rashad is because I wanted to see Rashad/Rampage.

High 5 wrote:I thought Machida/Rampage was already in the bag? But I'd be happy either way. The only reason I was a tad bummed when Machida wrecked Rashad is because I wanted to see Rashad/Rampage.

It sounds like the title shot was there for Rampage if he wanted it, but he wants the fight with Rashad even more.

Sounds like it will be Shogun:

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has in principle accepted a bout with new light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, MMAWeekly.com has learned from sources close to negotiations.

Though a concrete date for the fight could not be confirmed, and Machida’s management could not be reached at the time of this writing, sources say it would likely take place in October or November.

“(Machida) will fight,” said White. “We're working on it right now. As soon as it's signed, I'll announce it... which I'm hoping will be today or tomorrow.”

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/tem ... &zoneid=13

CPT wrote:

High 5 wrote:I thought Machida/Rampage was already in the bag? But I'd be happy either way. The only reason I was a tad bummed when Machida wrecked Rashad is because I wanted to see Rashad/Rampage.

It sounds like the title shot was there for Rampage if he wanted it, but he wants the fight with Rashad even more.

Yeah, they talked some trash face to face in the cage and Rampage said he wanted to kick Rashad's ass and get his belt back.

High 5 wrote:Sounds like it will be Shogun:

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has in principle accepted a bout with new light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, MMAWeekly.com has learned from sources close to negotiations.

Though a concrete date for the fight could not be confirmed, and Machida’s management could not be reached at the time of this writing, sources say it would likely take place in October or November.

“(Machida) will fight,” said White. “We're working on it right now. As soon as it's signed, I'll announce it... which I'm hoping will be today or tomorrow.”

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/tem ... &zoneid=13

Nice!!!! Not sure if Shogun deserves it, but its the best fight out there style wise.

2 things about this...

First, they may be trying to cash in on Shogun looking good in his last fight. I'm still not convinced that the old Shogun is back based on that Liddell fight, but at least now they get a legit main event out of it instead of him possibly losing to a Jardine or Luiz Cane. He's probably the most deserving guy that isn't tied up with another fight, but I'm not sure I buy him as a legit threat....then again, who is a legit threat to Machida at this point.

Second, I wonder if the UFC is trying to build the LHW title back up around Machida. The belt has been passed around a bit lately with 5 champs in the last 2 years (not sure if Liddell-Rampage was earlier in the month than Evans-Machida 2 years ago), and they may want Machida to get a few title defenses in before throwing Griffin or Rampage at him. I wouldn't be surprised to see Jardine or Franklin get a shot after Shogun but before Rampage/Evans/Griffin.