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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Though the UFC was initially looking to oblige Luke Rockhold and Lyoto Machida with a matchup against one another this fall, it now appears that they'll each get a different fight.
According to a report from Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's UFC Tonight program on Fox Sports 1, the UFC appears interested in booking Rockhold against Michael Bisping given the increased trash talking between the two. Because of that, Machida's camp has thrown out C.B. Dollaway's name as a potential opponent.
Rockhold has won two straight fights in dominant fashion after a loss to Vitor Belfort in his UFC debut last year. He's continued to trade verbal jabs with Bisping over the last several months, and after Bisping beat up Cung Le last Saturday night at UFC Fight Night 48, the UFC seems interested in making that fight.
With Rockhold seemingly no longer up next for Machida, the former Champ - and last Middleweight Title challenger - wants to bounce back from his loss to Chris Weidman in a matchup with Dollaway. The TUF season 7 runner up has been on a solid run over the last two years, going 4-1 with his sole loss a split decision in a close fight with Tim Boetsch. In his last outing, Dollaway scored a decision win over Francis Carmont in a good performance.
Penick's Analysis: Well, I can't say I'm all that intrigued by either matchup. While Rockhold and Bisping have been jawing back and forth, I'd have been much more interested in Rockhold-Machida. A win in that fight could have solidified him as the top contender after Vitor Belfort, but I think that distinction will shift to Jacare Souza if the Brazilian beats Gegard Mousasi next week at UFC Fight Night 50. Beating Bisping is not the win to propel someone into a title bout. Had he beat Machida, that would have been the statement he needed.
[Lyoto Machida art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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