Rampage Out, Machida In?

Fight Network has the story:

After reeling off a unanimous decision against Keith Jardine at UFC 96, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's status as the next challenger to Rashad Evans' UFC light heavyweight title is in jeopardy.

Jackson has reportedly sustained injuries to his hand and jaw.

The light heavyweight title bout, originally reported on the UFC 96 broadcast last Saturday, was set to replace Frank Mir vs. Brock Lesnar.

The heavyweight title unification match-up between Mir and Lesnar has been postponed until UFC 100 after Mir suffered a knee injury and announced that he needed more time in order to be at 100 per cent for the rematch. Mir, who holds the accolade of being the only man to defeat Lesnar, underwent knee surgery on Thursday and will look to repeat history when the two clash at UFC's 100th show.

Plans to have the bout between Jackson and Evans at UFC 98 seemed set in stone as the title affair was heavily hyped throughout the UFC 96 telecast. After "Rampage" had defeated Evans' training partner Jardine in the main event, the Jackson-Evans tease was capped by a heated staredown.

"There's going to be some more black on black crime," said Jackson after the staredown before dropping the microphone and storming out of the octagon.

At the post-fight press conference, UFC President Dana White denied that the two men were confirmed to face off at UFC 98.

The 205-pound tilt is now unlikely to happen on the May 23 card.

Although Jackson was not on the receiving end of a medical suspension from the Ohio Athletic Commission in the aftermath of UFC 96, he injured his hand in the bout against Jardine and is also scheduled to have an injured jaw checked out this week.

As of right now, UFC.com lists Evans' opponent as TBA.

In all likelihood, unbeaten Brazilian Lyoto Machida will step up to face Evans at UFC 98 for the title with the winner facing "Rampage" at a later date.