A high-profile light heavyweight matchup between former UFC champion Lyoto Machida (17-2) and rising prospect Phil Davis (9-0) has reportedly been announced for December at UFC 140. According to reports by MMA Weekly, UFC President Dana White confirmed the bout on Tuesday afternoon.
Machida returns to the cage for the first time since retiring UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture with a jumping front kick midway through the second round of their April clash. The win snapped the first losing streak of the 33-year-old Brazilian's career, after dropping consecutive bouts to Mauricio Rua and Quinton Jackson in 2010. Before the setback, Machida had rolled off 16 straight victories to start his professional life.
Meanwhile, Davis aims to keep his own undefeated record alive as he faces the stiffest challenge of his two-year run through the UFC. Since first entering the Octagon, the 27-year-old Pennsylvania native has earned decisive victories over the likes of Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Tim Boetsch, and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Previously, he was slated to face Rashad Evans at UFC 133, but was forced to withdraw from the card after suffering a knee injury.
UFC 140 is scheduled for December 10th at Toronto's Air Canada Centre. A headlining bout has yet to be determined.