According to InsideFights.com, Dana White will be speaking with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua as potentially a challenger to the newly-crowned Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida for a September matchup or simply a "really big fight":
Dana White met with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at the Zuffa offices today and is in the process of putting together what Dana calls a "really big fight".
Our gut feeling tells us that Lyoto Machida will be defending the light heavyweight belt against Rua in September. That would leave Machida without an opponent for the December show, since Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson will likely be meeting on that card. Not having Machida on the biggest show of the year is fine, but Zuffa typically likes to have the light heavyweight belt involved on big shows since it is the promotion’s showcase division.
White promises that more information is coming down the pipeline. We’ll have an update for you as soon as possible.
Of course, file this under the "Rumor Mill" for now, but the fight does make sense considering the fact that Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson are now on tap to coach The Ultimate Fighter Season 10.
How it doesn't make sense is that we still have yet to find out exactly how the UFC will be formatting the top of the division. Will they give Rampage the opportunity to fight Machida in September, and then give Rampage the opportunity to take on Rashad Evans as well? Or is the UFC going to give "Shogun" the go ahead to take on Machida?
Thinking about the potential outcomes of such a rumor becoming true, a Shogun victory could result in an epic rematch between Shogun and Rampage from their PRIDE days if Rampage knocks off Evans. A Machida vs. Evans rematch could fit the bill down the road if Machida loses, but if Machida maintains his rank... there are a multitude of fights that could happen. An Evans victory could also set off the Shogun vs. Rampage rematch talk as well with Evans once again throwing himself back in the title hunt.
I'd love to hear what many of the fans believe could potentially be "a really big fight" from the fighters still left on the table that aren't Evans, Rampage, or Machida. If this is truly excluding any of those guys, what big fight could be on the horizon? My bet is Lyoto Machida will be taking on Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
UPDATE: According to MMAEruption's Fanpost, USAToday is quoting White as saying the Rampage-Machida fight in September is not happening:
With Jackson out of the picture, the new champion's next opponent likely will be named today or tomorrow, White said. A report on Machida's website that he will be fighting at UFC 103 in September is not true, White said.
This leaves the door wide open for Shogun vs. Machida. Rampage won't be fighting a title fight in September according to White's quote, and from what we can gather from this quote, Machida's next opponent will be named today or tomorrow. Also, Shogun is in town talking with White as evident from Dana's Twitter photos.
