[Shogunator800]

If this is actually coming to fruition, I take my hat off to Dana White, Joe Silva, Zuffa Inc./UFC, etc. for making this fantastic match come to fruition.

Honestly, there is no better of a first opponent for Sokoudjou nor is their a better next opponent for Machida and makes UFC 79 (already an exciting card) much better.

I actually like Machida, but I'm going to be pulling for Sokoudjou big time, because his last two fights have excited me more than any fights Machida has been involved in lately.

Also, I do believe Machida has the tools to be a great title contender and maybe a champion some day, but until he starts fighting somebody in the top 10, there's really nothing there to indicate that he could hang with the likes of Rampage, Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, etc. until he fights some of the top 10 fighters.

I've seen a lot of people say that Machida needs to fight somebody other than Sokoudjou to be considered a title contender, but the truth is that there is no better opponent for Machida than the man who recently destroyed two top 10 fighters himself. I agree that rankings are not the best way to measure the outcome of individual fights and that MMAth isn't reliable. You really can't say Sokoudjou is a bad opponent, because if your only as good as your last fight(s), there is none better than Sokoudjou as an opponent for Machida.

At the same time, Machida has displayed enough talent in fighting to be a valid first opponent for RTS, but I believe if Machida wants to get close to title contention, he has to fight and beat somebody other than Nakamura, David Heath, or Sam Hoger in order to earn that spot in the UFC Light Heavyweight title contender's bracket.

NOTE: If you didn't feel like reading all this, no problem. Not trying to take anything away from Machida, but just not understanding the problems some people have with Machida fighting Sokoudjou.

[MuddyFugger]

I smell "fight of the night"

[Mr_Pink_eyes]

This will be a good fight. It will also prove if both guys are the real deal or not.

[elciego]

when did they get sokodjou?

this is a great fight and will definitely throw the winner into contention

[Shogunator800]

You know, Sokoudjou might already be signed with UFC but be sworn to secrecy by Dana White and hence why he's not directly answering the question other than giving out an utterly obvious date that pretty much answers the question.

That'd make sense, because they might choose UFC 78 as the most viable venue to announce this epic signage.

[JOLLYjoe]

Could you quit advertising your bullshit in every damn thread kaythreesix?

Put it in your signature, and if they want to look at it they will.

You are worse than that guy trying to sell the MMA tshirt that says "I hit like a Mack Truck".

[Remi]

This is all hype and speculation

[hitmeoff]

This is a very interesting fight. Soku has been nothing but jaw dropping the way he knocked out Lil Nog and Arona. But we really havent seen what Soku can do when he doesnt get the KO right away and Machida is really good at avoiding getting hurt in a fight.

Like a few of you have already said, this will tell alot about where each fighter stands.

[dghodsi]

Originally Posted by Remi

This is all hype and speculation

nah it's set in stone

[Trillione]

Dana better fuckin make this happen.