A long-anticipated battle between two former UFC champions is likely to take place this fall.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (30-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has verbally agreed to face Lyoto Machida (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
Jackson teased the contest on his official Twitter account, and MMAjunkie.com has learned that the bout is targeted for the main event of a yet-to-be-announced Nov. 20 date.
"Almost ready to sign the bout agreement," Jackson stated on his Twitter account. "I would tell ya'll who I'm gonna get down with, but I can't spell his name. Hahaha."
As Jackson alluded to in the post, bout agreements have yet to be finalized.
A location for the Nov. 20 card (which could potentially serve as UFC 123) has yet to be determined, and UFC officials are said to be considering a handful of potential venues.
Jackson looks to bounce back from a May loss to nemesis Rashad Evans at UFC 114. The contest was the culmination of 14 months worth of rivalry and a coaching gig on "The Ultimate Fighter" opposite Evans.
Prior to the loss, Jackson had earned back-to-back victories over Keith Jardine and Wanderlei Silva.
Meanwhile, Machida also looks to bounce back from a loss – the first defeat of his career. "The Dragon" was knocked out in the first round of his May rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and relinquished his belt in the process.
Prior to the defeat, Machida had earned eight-straight UFC wins and both claimed and once defended the UFC's light heavyweight title.
Jackson was said to be interested in a rematch with Forrest Griffin – the man who took the title from "Rampage" in July 2008 – but the original winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" is currently sidelined following shoulder surgery.
The winner of the Jackson-Machida contest will undoubtedly return to top-contender status in a stacked 205-pound division.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (30-8 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has verbally agreed to face Lyoto Machida (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).
Jackson teased the contest on his official Twitter account, and MMAjunkie.com has learned that the bout is targeted for the main event of a yet-to-be-announced Nov. 20 date.
"Almost ready to sign the bout agreement," Jackson stated on his Twitter account. "I would tell ya'll who I'm gonna get down with, but I can't spell his name. Hahaha."
As Jackson alluded to in the post, bout agreements have yet to be finalized.
A location for the Nov. 20 card (which could potentially serve as UFC 123) has yet to be determined, and UFC officials are said to be considering a handful of potential venues.
Jackson looks to bounce back from a May loss to nemesis Rashad Evans at UFC 114. The contest was the culmination of 14 months worth of rivalry and a coaching gig on "The Ultimate Fighter" opposite Evans.
Prior to the loss, Jackson had earned back-to-back victories over Keith Jardine and Wanderlei Silva.
Meanwhile, Machida also looks to bounce back from a loss – the first defeat of his career. "The Dragon" was knocked out in the first round of his May rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and relinquished his belt in the process.
Prior to the defeat, Machida had earned eight-straight UFC wins and both claimed and once defended the UFC's light heavyweight title.
Jackson was said to be interested in a rematch with Forrest Griffin – the man who took the title from "Rampage" in July 2008 – but the original winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" is currently sidelined following shoulder surgery.
The winner of the Jackson-Machida contest will undoubtedly return to top-contender status in a stacked 205-pound division.
