• UFC

Lyoto Machida confirms Rampage Jackson showdown

ESPN staff
July 27, 2010
Lyoto Machida is looking to bounce back from defeat to Mauricio Shogun Rua © UFC
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Lyoto Machida has confirmed that he will face Quinton Rampage Jackson in a gigantic light-heavyweight bout pencilled in for UFC 123 in November.

Machida v Jackson has been a poorly kept secret for a while now, but this is the first time Machida has leant substantial weight to the rumour that the pair are set to square off. Posting on his Twitter account, Machida wrote: "My next fight is confirmed and it's to be against Rampage."

As two former UFC light-heavyweight champions, Machida v Jackson acts as a clear showdown for the No. 1 contender spot in the 205lb division. Champion Mauricio Shogun Rua will face current challenger Rashad Evans next year and, with Machida having lost to Shogun and Jackson recently suffering defeat to Evans, the scripts are already written regardless of the outcome.

Machida has been training with middleweight champion Anderson Silva in recent weeks, and Silva warned Jackson that his compatriot is a class above.

"I think that when we are well trained it becomes very difficult to fight against us," Silva stated 10 days ago.

"We have a different style than other fighters. Our games are more fluid. So it is difficult for any opponent to beat us. Quinton or any other opponent that faces us will face difficulties."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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