Machida (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Lyoto Machida has relayed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship that fighting light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones on September 22nd, was not enough notice to get ready for the proposed rematch. According to multiple reports, Machida and his Black House camp released a statement today outlining their reasons.

Machida was instead hoping to fight Jones on October 13^th, at UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro, according to a report from MMA Fighting. As a result of Machida’s decision, however, the UFC has already announced that middleweight Vitor Belfort has agreed to move up and challenge Jones at UFC 152.

The Brazilian fighter reportedly said in the press release: “I want to serve the UFC and recapture the belt. I always respect my opponent. For those reasons, I must prepare myself in the manner I believe in.”

White announced in a media call yesterday that Machida had been offered a bout with Jones, as a result of Dan Henderson’s knee injury and the cancellation of UFC 151. The September 1^st card was ultimately cancelled, because Jones elected to not fight Henderson’s proposed replacement, Chael Sonnen, on short notice.

UFC 152 will be hosted by Toronto, Ontario’s Air Canada Centre.