Rampage Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida Scheduled for November 2010

There are two things that mostly no one can argue about when it comes to the UFC Light Heavyweight division. The first is that it’s one of the premier weight divisions in the UFC, possessing some of the best fighters on the planet. The other is that it’s a division where the best consistently fight the best. A new report hit the internet just today of one such match-up between two former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions, tentatively scheduled for fall 2010. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida is currently getting ironed out, and should be coming to the Octagon this November.

“Rampage” recently had his comeback train derailed by arch-rival “Sugar” Rashad Evans following a self-imposed exile that allowed him to star in the film remake of the popular 1980’s television show “The A-Team”, where he played the role of childhood idol “B.A. Baracus”. For a time, Jackson looked ready to dominate the world as UFC Light Heavyweight Champion following a brutal knockout of Chuck Liddell (knocking out Chuck Liddell was still considered hard to do back when Jackson did it) and a Unanimous Decision win over Dan Henderson. At least, such was the case until Forrest Griffin managed to leg-kick and brawl his way to a decision victory over the champion.

Jackson’s street-tough attitude and penchant for trash talking has earned him both the admiration and scorn of many MMA fans. While he remains a somewhat controversial fighter, he is still one of the better Light Heavyweight attractions in the UFC, and a proven draw, given that his recent fight with Rashad Evans pulled in approximately 925,000 PPV buys.

Lyoto Machida also looked ready to dominate the division and break the chain of UFC Light Heavyweight Champions losing their title in their first few fights. As a Machida fan, I truly believed UFC announcer Joe Rogan when he claimed that we had entered “The Machida Era” following Machida’s vicious knockout of then-champion Rashad Evans. Unfortunately, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua had other plans, taking “The Dragon” to the limit in their first encounter despite losing a fight that many feel he should have won. Rua then quickly rebounded, scoring a dramatic first-round KO over the previously unbeaten Machida in the rematch.

Like Rampage, Machida is not without his fair share of controversy despite his obvious talent and his position near the top of the division. While Jackson’s mouth and run-ins with the law have drawn the ire of some in the past, Machida’s style of fighting has earned him some controversy. Some believe that Machida’s vaunted elusiveness is a euphemism for “not willing to engage”, and Jackson himself once called Machida ”The Cheetah” and insinuated that all Machida does in his fights is run away.

This fight should be wildly entertaining, and has a lot riding on it as both men are at a pivotal crossroad in their careers. While not the box office smash some hoped it would be, “The A-Team” has already earned back its budget, and if talented fighters like Cung Le or Roger Huerta can take leave of absences to film C and D-list movies, the potential exist for Rampage to return to the land of Hollywood as a B-level and occasionally A-list action movie star, a return trip that may turn permanent should he go on a losing streak. Rampage needs to prove that he can still compete at a top level, and he’d do just that with a win over Machida.

Machida in turn has a lot to prove in this fight. Beaten for the first time in his career, Machida’s aura of invincibility has quite possibly been irreparably damaged. Now more than ever he’ll have fighters taking the fight to him, hoping to score the same quick, dramatic knockout that “Shogun” was able to deliver. Machida’s style may not require a drastic overhaul, but it’s definitely in need of some tweaking. As Fedor Emelianenko recently said, “A man who does not fall does not stand up”. Machida needs to prove that he can still stand with the best in the world.

So what do you think, fans and friends? Who takes this fight, and how eagerly are you anticipating it?