Last four years were very turbulent for a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and a Karate master, Lyoto Machida. He is a winner of back-to-back fights after a very long period of time.
Despite he didn’t win the fighters that were ranked at top 15, Dragon’s confidence is everything but rocked now! He had three losses in a row from 2015-17 and served an 18-month suspension for a failed drug test.
Despite he is closing to the age of 40, he wants to start thinking about title shots. Lyoto Machida is aware that his time is slipping away. He doesn’t have time to wait for the division to sort everything out, so he has no option but to hope for busy 2018. (via MMAMania.com)
“I don’t intend to take a break, right now. I want to fight once or twice more this year. I really feel like fighting and I want to be a champion again. I don’t see the Bisping fight as a farewell. I’m not thinking about that, right now. I showed I’m doing well and I want to climb the ranks so I can secure another title shot. Robert (Whittaker) has been doing a great job, but I don’t plan to fight against his style. I believe that, in MMA, we just have a martial art. It’s not my karate against his or jiu-jitsu against karate. My goal is to go after whoever has the belt. If he has the belt, of course I’m interested in fighting him.”
There were rumors that Lyoto Machida will face Michael Bisping but looks like “The Count” wants some tougher opponent. Maybe the idea of the fight against Robert Whittaker vs Yoel Romero is too ambitious, but there are some fights that might get him close to that goal.
Chris Weidman, his old-time rival, is ranked third, while Lyoto Machida is 9th. Is there anyone who wants this fight? Unfortunately, Luke Rockhold will probably switch to Light Heavyweight… it would be a great showdown too. Many of you probably hope for Lyoto Machida Vs Yoel Romero 2, that’s for sure!
