• UFC 157

White: Winner of Machida v Hendo gets title shot

ESPN staff
February 21, 2013
Lyoto Machida wants another UFC title shot © Getty Images
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UFC president Dana White has made the future of the light-heavyweight division crystal clear by stating that the winner of Lyoto Machida v Dan Henderson gets the next title shot against the victor of Jon Jones v Chael Sonnen.

White has been partially mistranslated over the past week after he said at a UFC London pre-fight press conference that a win for Alexander Gustafsson would "put him in line" for a title crack of his own.

The president was responding to a direct question about Gustafsson's title hopes, and by saying victory over Gegard Mousasi would "put him in line", White meant that the Swede would propel himself extremely close to the top of the pile.

However, above him are this weekend's co-main event stars Machida and Henderson, who collide at UFC 157. The headline act comes from the inaugural women's bout involving Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche.

Henderson had previously been scheduled to contest the 205lb belt but was forced out by injury, so a win naturally makes him the next to challenge the winner of Jones v Sonnen.

Machida, meanwhile, was the first man to take a round off Jones and has a style that proved tricky for the champion to work out. Not all are in favour of a rematch as Machida was choked out by Jones, but a win over Henderson would be difficult to ignore.

White confirmed to 95.5 Klos radio station that it would be Machida or Henderson who awaits Jones or Sonnen, barring unforeseen circumstances such as injury.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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