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UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua won't be able to make his first title defense until early next year, according to comments made by Dana White after today's UFC 116 pre-fight press conference.
White said Shogun's knee is healing well, but he'll be out of the Octagon for eight months, with his return likely coming in March.
"Shogun's great, his knee's coming along great," White said. "It's all good."
This leaves Rashad Evans without his title shot for the year, and it's unclear if he'll get matched up in another fight before Shogun is able to return.
There's another rumored light heavyweight fight, however, that White shot down, as he said the rumored bout, reportedly agreed upon between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, is not set up yet.
"With that division right now, Little Nog could fight Rampage, Rampage could fight Machida," White said. "There's a lot of fights we could make and we haven't made any decisions on that fight. We're looking at all of them. Time-wise, Rampage is still promoting the [A-Team] movie overseas, so we're trying to figure out what the next fight will be."
Penick's Analysis: Well, it's unfortunate that Shogun will be out of action that long, but it's good that he's getting his knee taken care of. The question then becomes what does the UFC do with Evans? Will he be alright taking another eight months off in between fights to get his Title shot? Or will he take another fight in between? And who would that fight be against? Plenty of questions that will be answered over the remainder of the year. As for Rampage-Lil Nog, that fight is probably still coming, White just didn't want to spill anything yet if it's not signed.
RELATED STORY: UFC NEWS: Rampage Jackson vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira rumored for September bout: [CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE]
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