Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida's first UFC light-heavyweight title defense will be against former champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. No target date but UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Jackson will receive the first shot at Machida's belt. If the rumors are true that Jackson and Machida will serve as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 10," the two will meet in December. Jackson originally earned the title shot with his UFC 92 win over Wanderlei Silva last December. However, injuries prevented Jackson from facing Rashad Evans at UFC 98, leaving Machida to step in to fulfill his title aspirations.

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, a karate specialist, used his kicks to gain the advantage and then landed a series a punches that knocked Rashad Evans down three times in the second round to win the UFC light heavyweight championship at UFC 98 in Las Vegas. The final blow was a devastating left hook that flattened Evans. His 205-pound body collapsed faster than the last few grains of a sand in a timer.

I tried all my life to be a champion, and I'm very, very happy," Machida said. "And now, I'm going to keep this belt for a long time. And to everyone, if you have a dream in your life, go ahead, it's possible. Machida's unorthodox style kept Evans (18-1-1) at bay the entire fight. Machida (15-0) landed big left kicks in the first and second rounds, helping to keep Evans at bay. Machida connected on a left leg kick to the body, followed by a left hand that dropped Evans to the ground toward the end of the first round. Machida pounced on Evans and landed a few shots before the champion got back to his feet.