MACHIDA-RUA SET -- Lyoto Machida will make the first defense of his Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight belt against fellow Brazilian Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, probably in the main event of UFC 104 on Oct. 24 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Machida won the title from Rashad Evans on May 23 and was expected first to defend his belt against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

But Jackson chose to coach against Evans in the upcoming season of the UFC's reality show.

Jackson said he feels Evans disrespected him and would prefer to settle that score before taking on Machida for the title. It has led some to question whether Jackson is ducking Machida.

In a video posted on Jackson's Web site, rampage-jackson.com, he answered his critics.

"For all you haters out there who say I'm scared of Machida, you guys need to slap yourself in the face because I can't reach to slap you right now," he said. "That's downright dirty and preposterous for me to be scared of anybody in my weight class or any weight class. I just had some unfinished business.

"My belt is coming back, but don't be trying to make up excuses that I'm scared of some karate guy. I ain't scared of nobody."

MACHIDA-RUA SET