Earlier today, UFC President Dana White announced a light heavyweight matchup between former champ Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida (17-2) and Phil ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Davis (9-0) for the upcoming UFC 140 fight in December. The two were to headline the Canadian event and would meet in a five-round, non-title fight.
Certainly an intriguing matchup that had fans and media calling for the bout long before today’s announcement.
Unfortunately fans are going to have to wait, as White Tweeted (@DanaWhite) a message a short time later rescinding the matchup due to Davis’ current injury status.
– I jumped the gun on Machida vs Davis. Just found out Davis is still recovering from knee surgery. Sorry about that!
It’s likely that the two will meet at a later date, but Machida may not have the patience having only fought last April, a knockout win over Randy Couture.
Fans could see ‘The Dragon’ step in as a late replacement, or meet an entirely new opponent. Time will tell I guess.
Davis is still recovering from knee surgery after suffering an injury prior to a scheduled UFC 133 bout versus Rashad Evans. Machida had been asked to replace ‘Mr. Wonderful’ at the event, but couldn’t come to financial terms with the UFC. Tito Ortiz wound up taking the fight on short notice.
UFC 140 is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on December 10 at the Air Canada Centre.