The UFC returns to Sin City on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC 98 - Evans vs. Machida will feature two undefeated fighters competing for a world title for the first time in UFC history as Rashad Evans (13-0-1) looks to defend his light-heavyweight title against Lyoto Machida (14-0). The co-main even will feature a grudge match that will mark the final chapter in one of the longest running feuds in UFC history, as former UFC welterweight champions and coaches from The Ultimate Fighter 6, Matt Hughes and Matt Serra, look to settle the score once and for all.

Also on the main card, two of the middleweight division's premier strikers will square off, while two of its top grapplers will alo mix it up. The heavy-handed Drew McFedries fighting out of the famed Miletich Fighting Systems in Bettendorf, Iowa will face the Savate specialist Xavier Foupa-Pokam who hails from Paris, France. Both men will be further motivated, as they are both coming off a loss.

Meanwhile, Team Quest's Chael Sonnen will lock horns with former IFL champion Dan Miller. The winner of this bout should jump right into the upper echelon of the middleweight division, while a loss would be very detrimental to future title shot hopes. The final bout scheduled on the main card will be a tussle between the UFC's former lightweight champion Sean Sherk and identically proportioned (5'6", 155 lbs.) wrestling stalwart Frankie Edgar.

On the undercard, former WEC welterweight contender Brock Larson will battle last minute replace Mike Pyle. After Chris Wilson's medical paperwork was not filed on time, the NSAC removed Wilson from the card hours before the weigh-ins. Pyle who trains locally at Xtreme Couture will take the fight on 1 day's notice. Also in action is the return of exciting K-1 kickboxer turned MMA star Patrick Barry will look to please his ever-growing fan bas as he takes on UFC newcomer in the Canadian fighter and King of the Cage veteran Tim Hague in the night's lone heavyweight bout.

TUF 8 lightweight runner-up Phillipe Nover will be in action for the first time since he lost at the TUF 8 Finale against Efrain Escudero. He will do battle with the Cajun UFC veteran Kyle Bradley in a lightweight contest. A pair of former IFL standouts in Renzo Graice trained Andre Gusmao and TUF 8 funnyman Krzysztof Soszynski will be squaring off in light-heavyweight action. Soszynski is taking this bout on short notice after earning "Submission of the Night" honors in April at UFC 97 for his Kimura victory over Brian Stann.

Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Brandon Wolff will look to redeem themselves after being on the receiving ends of a pair of brutal KO losses at UFC Fight Night 16 - Fight for the Troops in December. Yoshida was knocked cold by Josh Koscheck in the main event of that card, while Wolff was TKO'd from a series of knees from inside Ben Saunders Thai clinch. They will look to rebound against each other regain their footing within the welterweight ranks. The first bout of the evening will feature two TUF 8 alumni. George Roop and David Kaplan, who were both lightweight members of Team Mir on TUF 8, will put their previous allegiance aside as they are both looking to earn their first vicotry inside the UFC Octagon. UFC 98 will air live on PPV at 10 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. PST.


Main Card:

-Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida (Light-Heavyweight Title Bout)

-Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra (Welterweight Bout)

-Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam (Middleweight Bout)

-Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen (Middleweight Bout)

-Sean Sherk vs. Frankie Edgar (Lightweight Bout)


Preliminary Card:

-Brock Larson vs. Mike Pyle (Welterweight Bout)

-Patrick Barry vs. Tim Hague (Heavyweight Bout)

-Phillipe Nover vs. Kyle Bradley (Lightweight Bout)

-Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski (Light-Heavyweight Bout)

-Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Brandon Wolff (Welterweight Bout)

-George Roop vs. David Kaplan (Lightweight Bout)