Rampage vs. Rashad is Now Officially Official, Machida's Opponent TBA

by MMAEruption on May 28, 2009 2:26 PM EDT

"The Ultimate Fighter 10 - Heavyweights" premieres on Spike TV on Wednesday, September 16th at 10pm...And the coaches are...

...Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans. Don't miss these two rivals coaching against each other on The Ultimate Fighter 10, premiering in Sept.

This disclosure could be in reaction to Rampage's announcement of his status as a TUF 10 coach early this morning - unless Dana White has something else to announce tonight at the Spike Video Game Awards.

*********************

UPDATE:

USA Today is reporting the following regarding Rampage's decision to take on coaching duties on TUF 10:

UFC President Dana White and Jackson said he was chosen as a coach because he wanted to face Evans. Jackson said he remains angry that Evans confronted him in the cage immediately after Jackson's March win over Evans' teammate, Keith Jardine, at UFC 96.

And as a result it looks like Machida/Rampage will have to wait until 2010:

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.

I would assume Shogun Rua will be Machida's next opponent for the following three reasons:

1) He's coming off two wins in a row (maybe not best-quality wins but it's something most guys in the LHW don't have)

2) A victory over Shogun will help build Machida up for a mega-match with Rampage

and most importantly...

3) He's free on the schedule

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

= p

So, they’re marketing it that Rampage wants Rashad 1st…. = p Rather than Machida declined etc….

by evilstuntz on May 28, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

NOOO!!
why isnt Rampage fighting Lyoto…?
UGH!

by radamez85 on May 28, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Word

What’s the story with the Machida fight, now?

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 28, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Machida’s site says he’ll fight Rampage in September.

by Derek Suboticki on May 28, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Yea this doesn’t mean that Rampage is giving up his title shot, they film TUF months in advance of when it actually airs. Rampage has time to film the show right now for the next 6 weeks and train for a September fight after the filming.

by who me on May 28, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Sounds about right

I really like this. I hope Rampage is still able to remain focused and put together a great camp. I suppose another question is how it’ll effect his dynamic with Rashad with the Machida fight looming.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 28, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Well

Nevermind then.

I poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on May 28, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

yea things seem to be getting complicated (or simplier depending on how it turns out).

by who me on May 28, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

You mean it’s officially not official.

The fact that they are coaching TUF doesn’t mean they are going to fight each other next, or even at all.

by Phildo on May 28, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Shogun is in Las Vegas...

He is meeting with Dana White, confirmed via twitter. Interesting.

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by Leland Roling on May 28, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

I really don’t think Shogun deserves a shot after beating a gassed Coleman and a faded Liddell. Rashad got his shot after beating Chuck, but Shogun should really have to beat Forrest or another top LHW before leapfrogging anyone. Hell, Hendo’s got a stronger case than Shogun after beating Franklin.

by Derek Suboticki on May 28, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

They almost HAVE to give the shot to Shogun for the reasons I outlined above. Forget about who deserves what in this situation. They’re X number of fighters booked for Y number of events.

What if Anderson Silva beats Forrest – they’re not giving a title shot to a
guy coming off two losses (Hawaiians excluded). I doubt they’re moving Hendo back up to LHW for a title shot. Jardine isn’t getting it. Neither is Vera, Bonnar, Wanderlei, etc.

Visit MMAEruption.com!

by MMAEruption on May 28, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs