Dana White Announces That Rampage Is Next For Machida

As expected, at the UFC 98 post-event press conference, UFC President Dana White announced that UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida's first title defense will be against former champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (picture). While White didn't announce the date for the title defense, if recent rumors of Rampage and Machida coaching season ten of The Ultimate Fighter are true, then the fight would take place in late December.

Both Machida and Jackson were fighting for the World Fighting Alliance when Zuffa bought the company out in December 2006.

"We bought the WFA to acquire his contract and Rampage's," White noted at the press conference. "I've always thought this kid (Machida) was talented."

"I was blown away by his performance tonight," White continued. "Absolutely blown away."