MMA: White Jumps the Gun, GSP Training, Cyborg Returns & the Week's Biggest News

After a blockbuster week that saw UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones successfully defend his belt at UFC 135 against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, there were plenty of other news items that took center stage.

UFC President Dana White briefly announced a highly-anticipated showdown between light heavyweights Phil Davis and Lyoto Machida, only to pull back the news almost immediately.

Consensus No. 1-ranked female fighter Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos will return to Strikeforce to defend her 145-pound title on Dec. 17.

UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre announced that he will be training with former challenger Dan Hardy in preparation for his UFC 137 title defense against Carlos Condit.

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.

Dana White Announces Phil Davis vs. Lyoto Machida, Then Recants

UFC President Dana White revealed that undefeated light heavyweight Phil Davis was expected to face former champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 on Dec. 10.

Within minutes, White proclaimed that he had "jumped the gun" on the news.  Davis, who suffered a knee injury prior to UFC 133, is still recovering from surgery.

No word on whether the Brazilian Machida will still fight on the card, which will take place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Source: Twitter

Georges St-Pierre Announces He Will Train with Dan Hardy for Carlos Condit

UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre has a new training partner... none other than former title challenger Dan Hardy.

The pair battled one another for the belt at UFC 111 in March 2010, with St-Pierre walking away with a unanimous decision victory.

Now with St-Pierre preparing to defend his title against Carlos Condit at UFC 137 on Oct. 29, the Canadian has enlisted the British fighter to help him get ready for the bout.

St-Pierre stated that Hardy will bring "much-needed intensity" to his camp.

Source: Twitter

Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos Returns to Strikeforce, Faces Hiroko Yamanaka

Strikeforce women's 145-pound champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos will make her long-awaited return on Dec. 17 as she welcomes Hiroko Yamanaka to the promotion.

The Brazilian has not fought in over a year as she worked to resolve contract issues.  The dangerous striker has not lost since her debut, over six years ago.

The Dec. 17 event is slated for Valley View Casino Center in San Diego and is expected to be headlined by a lightweight title bout between champion Gilbert Melendez and challenger Jorge Masvidal.

Source: MMA Junkie

Jamie Varner Contemplates Retirement

Former WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner hinted that his most recent loss, to Dakota Cochrane at Titan Fighting Championship 20, may be his last fight.

The 26-year-old fighter posted on his Twitter account that he "gave fighting another shot" but that he "didn't have it anymore."  The tweet was removed shortly thereafter, but it also included the cryptic message "you'll never see me fight again."

Since winning the WEC strap in early 2009, Varner has managed just one win in his last six fights.

Source: MMA Fighting

Vitor Belfort Campaigns for UFC 141 Fight Against Sonnen-Stann Winner

Former UFC champion Vitor Belfort is recovering from injury, but is already campaigning for his next fight.

The Brazilian was pulled from the UFC 139 co-main event due to an undisclosed injury, but the fighter recently voiced his desire to compete at UFC 141 in Las Vegas on Dec. 30.

Belfort expressed that he wants to fight the winner of the Brian Stann-Chael Sonnen bout, which takes place Oct. 8 at UFC 136 in Houston.

Source: MMAJunkie

Shinya Aoki Returns on NYE, to Face Eddie Alvarez in 2012

DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, fresh off a title defense over Rob McCullough on Sept. 24, has revealed his upcoming fight plans.

The Japanese fighter will return to action at the promotion's New Year's Eve event.  No opponent has been named for the bout.

Aoki also announced that he will rematch current Bellator lightweight kingpin Eddie Alvarez in 2012.  Alvarez was submitted by Aoki in 2008.

Source: MMAWeekly

UFC 139 Adds Miguel Torres-Nick Pace and Michael McDonald-Johnny Eduardo

The UFC's Nov. 12 venture into San Jose, Calif., will feature a pair of bantamweight battles.

Former WEC 135-pound champ Miguel Torres will take on Nick Pace, while one of the sport's youngest competitors, Michael McDonald, will meet Brazilian Johnny Eduardo.

UFC 139 is headlined by a light heavyweight fight between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson and takes place from the HP Pavilion.

Source: UFC

Herman-Russow Scratched, Garcia-Phan II Now Part of UFC 136 Main Card

A heavyweight fight between Dave Herman and Mike Russow has been removed from the Oct. 8 UFC 136 card, which will take place in Houston.

As a result, a featherweight rematch between Nam Phan and Leonard Garcia will now be part of the pay-per-view main card.

Herman later revealed that he was pulled from the card due to a failed drug test for marijuana use.

Source: UFC

Justin Edwards Replaces Injured James Head at UFC 138

Yet another UFC 138 welterweight has been forced out due to injury.

James Head was originally slated to face Mark Scanlon at the Nov. 5 event, which takes place from the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.

Scanlon was forced off the card last week due to injury and was replaced by John Maguire.  Now, Head is also off the card due to injury.

In his place will be The Ultimate Fighter alum Justin Edwards.  The fighter recently claimed victory at Ultimate Fight Night 25 on Sept. 17.

The Edwards-Maguire matchup will be shown on the event's undercard.

Source: UFC

Jeff Hougland Injured, Mike Easton Now Faces Byron Bloodworth

Bantamweight Jeff Hougland has suffered an injury and is off the Oct. 1 UFC on Versus 6 card.

UFC debutant Mike Easton will now take on Byron Bloodworth on the preliminary portion of the fight card.

The event takes place from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., and is headlined by a bantamweight title fight between champion Dominick Cruz and challenger Demetrious Johnson.

Source: UFC