UFC Countdown to 98: 'Evans vs Machida' to debut on Spike TV May 21

by MMAmania.com on May 17, 2009 8:18 AM EDT

"UFC Countdown" to UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" will debut on Spike TV this Thursday, May 21 at 11 p.m. ET on Spike TV to promote the upcoming event next weekend (May 23) at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The hour-long special presentation will provide a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the show, including main event participants UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans and undefeated challenger, Lyoto Machida.

In the co-main event, former welterweight champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra will finally end their epic grudge match by taping up the gloves and letting their fists do the talking once and for all.

For those who miss the "Countdown" to UFC 98 premier it will re-air later on Thursday, May 21 at 2 a.m. ET and then again on Saturday, May 23 at 6 p.m. ET.

Check out a preview special of Machida after the jump:

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide all the coverage you can handle, including LIVE blow-by-blow UFC 98 results of the main card action at 10 p.m. ET on fight night, as well as the latest quick results from earlier that evening as they happen.

To check out the complete UFC 98 fight card click here.

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Comments

Can’t wait!

by UFC Champ on May 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

wow, this will be a snooz fest. most boring fight ever guaranteed

by ufcfan1 on May 17, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions

UFC fan: If you cant appreciate a beautiful and technical five round chess match that will be Evans/Machida, you should just change your name to “Drunken Bar fight Fan”!

by john on May 18, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions

I hate it when the UFC does this crap! This countdown should air TONIGHT, and then again on tHursday night! Why do we have to wait for thursday for the countdown show. THat sucks!

by john on May 18, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

What interest me the most about this fight is the game plans that Shad n Machida will implement. Greg Jackson is a fabulous trainer, and shad is pretty good at executing gameplans. Problem is that Shad wont get to see Jardine face Machida 1st.

As good as Greg Jackson is, I think Machida and his father are Geniuses! Its going to be very difficult for Jackson to gameplan for Machida. Machida is nothing like any other opponent that Jackson had to gameplan for.

I also think that Machida/his camp have identified chinks in Rashad’s undefeated armor that they will take advantage of on saturday. Machida is not only going to win this fight, but he is going to finish rashad late in the fight!

Look forward to seeing Machida as the next TUF coach. People have always been ducking Machida, lets see them duck him when he is wearing the title!

Machida’s English was always pretty good, and I hear it has gotten a lot better, so why doesnt he speak english on these countdown shows. I bet he is easier to understand then Bisping!

by john on May 18, 2009 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

chess match…lol

by hddavidson on May 18, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Drunken bar fight man

by Lestat on May 18, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t wait to see it! Especially Matt Serra’s “My wife says…”!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Pamirec on May 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

what r u talking about? Its Hughes’s wife that runs her mouth!

by john on May 18, 2009 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I know, I’m talking about impersonation.

by Pamirec on May 19, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I think its hilariously that on TUF Matt Hughes ragged on Evans for being a hotdog and such and now Hughes is second banana to Evans on this card.

I’m not a big Evans fan but Hughes is a dingdong and I hope Serra whoops his ass.

by superbo11 on May 17, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions

Very True, I almost forgot about that. " Rashad I don’t like your show-boating, it’s not very professional." RIP Hughes on May 23. Go back to the farm bitch

by guy on May 17, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

not bothering with this, ill be seeing TERMINATOR that day!!! :D

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 17, 2009 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

i’ll be graduating that day but im still gonna watch this lol

by hamsterwheel on May 17, 2009 5:31 PM EDT up reply actions

really congrats dude

by Clinton Jackson (formerly Jared) on May 17, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions

rashad’s gonna be diggin that ass

by Sean sherk on May 17, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions

yeah he’s gonna dig in that ass

by RoB on May 17, 2009 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

thith ith gonna rule!

by butt-Head on May 17, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions

uuuh huh huh….thith ith gonna rule!

by butt-Head on May 17, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

hmm im not really lookin forward to this one i hope rashad and sera pull of the victory but im more pumped for 100 and 101 my advice save ur money and wait until 100 and 101

by andrewb on May 17, 2009 5:02 PM EDT reply actions

ok whatever Tom Atencio

by JRE on May 17, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

no way lol im gonna buy this one for sure. The main event and co main event are just amazing. I can’t remember off the top of my head who else is fighting but i remember sean sherk vs edgar!! thats an amazing fight imo. and at matt serra “my wife says” hughes impersonition loolllllllllll!

by hamsterwheel on May 17, 2009 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

dont have to buy it einstein, just go to hooters and watch it free

by dtoto on May 18, 2009 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Lyoto Machida is going to beat the ever loving crap out of evans. I can’t wait.

by jg on May 18, 2009 2:17 AM EDT reply actions

Have to agree, machidas 24 yrs of karate, give him more discipline thab shad can imagine. I see him picking him apart, dodnt see shad winning a single round

by dtoto on May 18, 2009 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions