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[Cat--Smasher]

UFC changes tune, UFC on FOX 4's Bader-Machida winner also possible for title shot

On Monday Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White announced that UFC on FOX 4 headliners Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) and Brandon Vera (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) are competing this weekend for a shot at the promotion's light-heavyweight title.

He later told USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that co-headliners Ryan Bader (14-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Lyoto Machida (17-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) also will have that opportunity.

"Whoever wins the most impressively on Saturday night gets the shot at the title," White said.

White's decision comes after a rash of fan backlash following his original announcement. UFC's social-media-savvy fanbase immediately took to Twitter to protest the decision while citing Rua's recent losses to both current champion Jon Jones and the champ's UFC 151 opponent, Dan Henderson – as well as Vera's current run of just one win in four appearances – as reasons why the bout did not deserve to be considered a No. 1 contender's contest.

White said he listened to the complaints, and he's making a change.

"I put together the fights that fans want to see," White said. "The fans didn't like the Rua and Vera choice, so here it is: The guy that wins most impressively on Saturday night out of the co-main event and the main event will get the shot at the winner of Jon Jones vs. Dan Henderson."

The change still leaves the potential for Vera, who has registered just two wins in three years, to qualify for a championship bout. However, White said he believes an impressive win is enough for "The Truth" to deserve such an opportunity.

"There's no doubt that Vera is getting the opportunity of a lifetime," White said. "He's getting the opportunity of a lifetime, but we'll see what happens. We'll see if he makes the most of it."

Interestingly, champ Jones has already defeated all four potential contenders, so if he's able to get past Henderson on Sept. 1, he'll be looking at a rematch. The champ also took to Twitter to protest the original plans.

"Scratching my head," Jones wrote on Monday.

However, Jones' current run of seven consecutive wins, which includes four victories in a row against ex-UFC champs, has left him with very little new blood ready to step into a UFC title fight.

"He can scratch his head all he wants," White said with a laugh. "Scratch away."

UFC changes tune, UFC on FOX 4's Bader-Machida winner also possible for title shot | MMAjunkie.com

[disposableassassin]

One things for sure, somebody who wins a fight is going to get a title shot.

[Luc1an]

i dont know when and i dont know where but somebody is going to get a title shot.

[Kimbo> Rampage]

Of course... isnt it obvious...

If Shogun wins, he will likely get the title shot.

If Machida wins, and shogun loses, he will get the title shot.

If they both lose, then the UFC is fucked... No way do i see them putting Bader or Vera against Jones in a title fight at this point... You also have to consider how the fight sells as well. But we dont need to worry about that...

[Cat--Smasher]

Jon Jones baffled by news of Shogun/Vera title shot

Jon Jones baffled by news of Shogun/Vera title shot - Fighters Only

[Supe]

Not a single person involved in these 2 fights deserves a title shot with a win Saturday. The winners should face off for a title shot and even then it would be a thin resume of recent accomplishments. Let Jones fight Hendo and then the winner gets the Goose. Glover should have retired Rampage by then and be ready for a shot as well. Vera getting a title shot without a 4 fight win streak is a joke. Shogun and Machida are currently on a combined 1 fight win streak so thats pretty dumb. Bader has the beset case for a title shot if he wins. It will be a 3 fight streak with wins over Brilz, Rampage and Machida. The only guy that will be deserving isnt really getting mentioned. Pretty standard for UFC #1 contender bouts.

[ckauffman28]

Goose could get a shot now... Glover if he gets by rampage plus one more could be ready by summer of 2013

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by ckauffman28

Goose could get a shot now... Glover if he gets by rampage plus one more could be ready by summer of 2013

Remind what me Top 10 fighter Goose has beaten... oh yea no one.

Basically if Vera wins, the winner of Bader/Machia becomes the number 1 contender.

The issue right now for the LHW division is that if Jones wins they will need to find a warm body while guys like Goose Glover claim the rankings. Jones is the most active champion the UFC has since Matt Hughes during his title runs. And with that he is going to have a lackluster rematch at some point, which will be his next fight after Hendo.

[disposableassassin]

I'll tell you one thing they have created some serious hype for this event. I never thought I would be so interested in a Vera fight again!

[KevoOnTheRadio]

Maybe the UFC knows that some time soon, Shogun and Machida will have earned their rematches. Get 'em out of the way now, so by that time guys like Glover, Goose, maybe even Vinny or Jimmo will have done enough to earn their shot. I think the UFC is desperate for new blood in the top 5.