Unanimous Decision? UFC brass offer Machida a fight with Ortiz

If you finish them, they will come. Just not Chuck Liddell.

Long considered stagnant for a lack of exciting finishes, UFC light heavyweight Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (12-0) has vaulted up the food chain after finishing PRIDE's highly touted Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at UFC 79: "Nemesis" via second round submission.

According to a report by MMAWeekly.com, Machida has been offered "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz (15-5-1) as his next opponent. While Machida has verbally agreed to face the former light heavyweight champ, Ortiz has yet to respond.

If bout agreements are inked it would be the highest profile to date for the undefeated Brazilian. That's because Ortiz is one of the biggest draws on the UFC roster -- even though the performances since his return to the organization have underwhelmed many.

Ortiz has not competed since July 2007 when he and Rashad Evans battled to a disappointing draw on the "Stacked" card. He participated on "Celebrity Apprentice," which is now on the air, and also made the rounds overseas on another USO tour while he recovered from a back injury.

Style-wise this fight might actually favor Ortiz ... if he could get Machida to the ground and keep him there.

No date has been set for the possible 205-pound match up at this time. Stick around for more details.