UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida (Predictions)

Click the stars to rate how good you think it will be.

UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida is to be held on May 23, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A title unification match between the UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir and UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar was originally slated to be the the main event, but was postponed to a later date due to a knee injury to Mir.

By way of replacement, Quinton Jackson, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion, was to fight the undefeated current champion Rashad Evans but had to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair ligament damage in his jaw that he received in a previous training camp. Instead, Evans will headline the card against undefeated contender Lyoto Machida. Jackson will then face the winner of Evans vs. Machida for the title on a date that is yet to be determined.

The card also features the long anticipated grudge match between The Ultimate Fighter 6 coaches Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.

We will be co-hosting a live chat for UFC 98, with MMA Madhouse and The Lights Out Show. Read more to sign up for a reminder!

UFC 98 Picks and Predictions: Enter the Dragon
UFC 98 Preview

Weigh-in results:
Rashad Evans (205) vs. Lyoto Machida (204)
Matt Hughes (170) vs. Matt Serra (171)
Dan Miller (185) vs. Chael Sonnen (186)
Sean Sherk (156) vs. Frankie Edgar (155)
Drew McFedries (185) vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (186)
Mike Pyle (173)* vs. Brock Larson (171)
Patrick Barry (237) vs. Tim Hague (263)
Phillipe Nover (156) vs. Kyle Bradley (156)
Andre Gusmao (206) vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (206)
Yoshiyuki Yoshida (171) vs. Brandon Wolff (170)
David Kaplan (156) vs. George Roop (154)

* Mike Pyle, who was approved by the NSAC Friday morning as the replacement for Chris Wilson, weighed in directly after the weigh-ins at 173 pounds. Larson agreed to the weight allowance and Pyle’s purse was not penalized, said Pyle’s agent Ken Pavia.

Due to injury, Josh Koscheck will not be able to participate on this card. Brock Larson stepped in as the new opponent for Chris Wilson.

James Irvin was set to make his Middleweight debut against Drew McFedries, but will not be able to fight due to a knee injury. Xavier Foupa-Pokam stepped in to fight McFedries.

Yushin Okami was set to fight Dan Miller on the main card but was injured and is off the card, Okami suffered a torn ligament. Early reports suggested Ed Herman would replace Okami, however Chael Sonnen has stepped in to take the bout.

Houston Alexander was scheduled to fight Andre Gusmao, but has been forced to pull out due to a broken hand. Krzysztof Soszynski has stepped in to fight Gusmao.