MMA: Jones-Machida, Melendez to UFC? Daley-GSP & the Week's Biggest News

With two title bouts on tap this week at UFC 136, the rest of the MMA world stayed very active.

UFC president Dana White shot down a planned light heavyweight title fight between champion Jon Jones and Rashad Evans due to Evans' injured hand. However, he quickly announced that former champ Lyoto Machida would face Jones instead.

Additionally, White hinted that current Strikeforce lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez may be UFC bound very soon.

Welterweight Paul Daley revealed that he will be training with UFC kingpin Georges St-Pierre, alongside his Team Roughhouse teammate Dan Hardy.

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.

UFC 140 to Be Headlined by Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida

Following a successful defense of his light heavyweight title at UFC 135, Jon "Bones" Jones was expected to take a break from action.

UFC president Dana White revealed that plans have changed. 

When a number of MMA media outlets erroneously reported that Jones would face former teammate Rashad Evans at UFC 140, White was forced to play his hand.

A dislocated thumb on Evans' right hand will keep the former champion from competing on the Dec. 10 card, and taking his place will be Brazilian Lyoto Machida.

The title fight will headline the event which takes place from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Source: UFC

Gilbert Melendez Expected to Join the UFC Soon

Although he is slated to defend his Strikeforce lightweight belt on Dec. 17 against Jorge Masvidal, Gilbert Melendez is likely headed to the UFC very soon.

The news was hinted by UFC president Dana White earlier in the week.

Nothing has been finalized, but Melendez would likely face the winner of the UFC 136 title fight between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

Source: MMAWeekly

Daley Slated to Train with GSP, Eyeing Diaz Rematch

Former UFC welterweight and recent Strikeforce title challenger, Paul "Semtex" Daley has revealed that he will be joining his teammate Dan Hardy in Montreal to train with UFC champion Georges St-Pierre.

The Team Roughhouse fighters have been brought in to help St-Pierre prepare for his UFC 137 defense against Carlos Condit.

Daley also proclaimed that he wants another shot at Nick Diaz, the man whose title he failed to take earlier this year.

Source: MMAJunkie

Bisping-Miller Will Be Five Round Affair

The coaches from The Ultimate Fighter Season 14, Michael Bisping and Jason "Mayhem" Miller, will meet in the headliner of the Dec. 3 TUF Finale in Las Vegas.

The middleweight bout will be slated for a five rounds.

The event will take place from The Pearl at the Palms Casino.

Source: UFC

UFC on Fox 1 Adds Multiple Bouts

The card for the UFC's first event on Fox is now closer to completion.

Five additional fights were added to the event this week.

TUF alum Alex "Bruce Leeroy" Caceres will drop to bantamweight to battle Cole Escovedo.

Welterweight Mike Pierce will take on Paul Bradley.

Rising featherweights Mackens Semerzier and Robert Peralta will go to war.

In a rescheduled fight from Ultimate Fight Night 25, TUF 13's Clay Harvison meets TUF 9's DaMarques Johnson.

Finally, Aaron Rosa will return to light heavyweight to welcome Matt Lucas to the promotion.

UFC on Fox 1 takes place Nov. 12 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Source: UFC

Dong Hyun Kim to Fight Sean Pierson at UFC 141

A pair of welterweights that have dropped recent fights to rising contenders will square off on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas at UFC 141.

Korean fighter Dong Hyun Kim will return to action for the first time since suffering the only defeat of his career to Carlos Condit at UFC 132.

Facing him will be Canadian Sean Pierson, who was beaten by Jake Ellenberger at UFC 129.

Source: UFC

Credeur Out; Tavares Welcomes Jacoby at UFC 137

Middleweight Tim Credeur has been forced out of UFC 137 due to injury.

Taking his place against Brad Tavares will be promotional newcomer Dustin Jacoby.  The Illinois-based fighter brings a 6-0 record into the Octagon.

The event takes place on Oct. 29 from the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Source: UFC

Bellator Middleweight Champ Lombard Battles Prangley in Non-Title Bout

Bellator 58 has a headlining fight.

Middleweight champion Hector Lombard will take on veteran Trevor Prangley in a 195-pound non-title affair at the Nov. 19 event.

The South African Prangley will be making his promotional debut.  Lombard has reeled off 19 straight wins.

The event takes place from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and airs live on MTV2.

Source: Bellator

Former Sengoku Champ Sandro Takes on Dias at Bellator 58

Brazilian featherweight slugger Marlon Sandro will look to bounce back from a tournament loss to Pat Curran by taking out fellow countryman Rafael Dias at Bellator 58.

Sandro was knocked out by kick to the head from Curran at Bellator 48.

Dias is a WEC veteran and will be making his Bellator debut.

Source: Sherdog

Christian M'Pumbu Collides with UFC Veteran Travis Wiuff at Bellator 55

Bellator's light heavyweight champion Christian M'Pumbu's first action since claiming the belt will come against well-traveled fighter Travis Wiuff.

The non-title fight will take place at Bellator 55 on Oct. 22.

The event will take place at the Cocopah Resort and Casino in Yuma, Ariz.

Source: Sherdog