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Lyoto Machida draws C.B. Dollaway at Dec. 20 Fight Night in Brazil

Stephen R. Sylvaine / USA Today Sports

C.B. Dollaway is taking a step forward in class of competition as he looks to work his way up the UFC's middleweight ladder.

On Dec. 20, the 31-year-old Dollaway (16-6, 9-5 in UFC) will look to secure the most marquee win on his resume and his third straight victory overall when he steps opposite veteran stalwart Lyoto Machida in the latter's home country of Brazil.

Machida (21-5, 13-5 in UFC) is coming off a loss to middleweight champion Chris Weidman and, at age 36, needs to quickly re-establish himself at 185 if he's to eventually get one more crack at the belt. 

The UFC's middleweight division is not short on contenders, with Weidman set to face Vitor Belfort while Jacare Souza waits in the wings and with Luke Rockhold and Michael Bisping set to square off in a bout with long-term title picture implications, too. It's such that the division, previously thought to be thin once Anderson Silva was defeated, has six or seven names you'd pay to see fight Weidman, and no fighter can afford a loss at this point.

Dollaway has been on a roll over the past three years, fighting infrequently but winning four of five since 2012. Machida will represent the most talented opponent he's faced and easily the most experienced. UFC officials are probably looking at this fight as a litmus test as to Dollaway's readiness to move into title contention.

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