Sonnen/Machida On, Now Off Again
A fight that had previously been rumored between former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida, and former UFC middleweight contender and loud-mouth trash talker, Chael Sonnen, will not be happening. Although earlier reports stated that both fighters had already verbally agreed to the fight and were waiting for formal confirmation, sources close to the UFC told MMAJunkie that the fight will not be scheduled and that both men are still waiting for their next opponent to be determined.
The fight was expected to take place this fall, likely at UFC 136, at light heavyweight where Sonnen would have to climb to match weight with Machida. The fight was probably considered on the angle of Sonnen’s frequent verbal attack on Machida and his training partners Anderson Silva, and the Nogueira brothers.
Sonnen, who is still serving an indefinite suspension with the CSAC (California State Athletic Commission), will still need to appear before the commission prior to being licensed again.
Machida, with a convincing win over Randy Couture with a front kick so devastating that it knocked out a tooth at UFC 129, was in the talk of an upcoming title shot with current champion, Jon Jones. That bout was instead handed to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Unclear who Machida’s next opponent will be, a win should keep him right in the mix of the light heavyweight title discussion.
