White 'Jumps Gun' in Announcing Davis vs Machida, Davis Entirely Unaware of Bout

At yesterday's UFC 139 press conference, UFC President Dana White told MMAWeekly.com that plans were in place to match up former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida with undefeated rising prospect Phil Davis at UFC 140.

According to MMAJunkie.com, White's announcement was a bit premature.

"I jumped the gun on Machida vs Davis," White said via his Twitter account. "Just found out Davis is still recovering from knee surgery. Sorry about that!" 

The bout was potentially going to be a five-round non-title fight to be held at the Dec. 10 event in Toronto.

Amazingly, Davis himself was unaware of the potential fight entirely, telling USA Today, "All of this is news to me."

"I'm still recovering and training. That's pretty much the story," Davis said. "I guess the boss must have looked to book me... I'm just not a go yet."

Davis was scheduled to face former UFC Light-Heavyweight champion and top contender Rashad Evans at UFC 133 in August, but the injury to his knee has sidelined the former NCAA Division I national champion since.

His opponent in this potential bout, Machida, was in talks to replace Davis at UFC 133, but the karate specialist and the UFC could not agree on terms, so the promotion instead went with Tito Ortiz.

As for the fight with Machida, Davis had not been in contact with either White or matchmaker Joe Silva for some time, he told USA Today. 

"I wasn't really involved in any of this whole story, other than I'm the guy in question," Davis said. "I've got to get with the guys in charge and see what they want me to do next."

"I'm merely one of the characters in a video game," he added. "I just run down the field. I don't call the plays."

Davis' leg is steadily improving, but the young fighter remains unsure as to when he will return, saying that, "You've just got to play it by ear."

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