Machida (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Since UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones has been open about the fact he would rather face rising challenger Alexander Gustafsson next, instead of Lyoto Machida who he’s defeated once before, it’s not surprising to see that Machida will likely fight Phil Davis at UFC 163.

According to a report from Portal do Vale Tudo, the former champion will face Davis at the event, which will take place August 3rd at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A follow up report from MMA Fighting.com says that although the bout isn’t official yet, but the UFC is attempting to book the bout.

Machida (19-3) is coming off back-to-back wins over Dan Henderson and Ryan Bader, the latter of which he KO’d last August, after being choked out by Jones in December, 2011.

Davis (11-1), meanwhile, scored a one sided, unanimous decision win over Vinny Magalhaes at UFC 159 in April, after tapping out Wagner Prado with an Anaconda Choke in October.

UFC 163 will feature a featherweight bout between champion Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis in the main event.