With a fight this Saturday, Machida wants to repeat his victory over Mousasi: 'I can knock him out'

L. Machida (left) and G. Mousasi (right) face each other for Bellator in September. Photo: Montagem SL / MMA Press

Former UFC champion, Lyoto Machida, is close to completing his 35th fight in his professional career. Now in Bellator, the athlete will face an old acquaintance on the card that takes place this Saturday (28), in California (USA). The Paraense will face Gegard Mousasi, against whom he fought in 2014, when he was still working for the UFC. Regarding the commitment, the Belenense showed confidence in a new victory and bet that the duel should resemble the first meeting. The statement was made in an interview with 'BJPenn.com'.

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“I already defeated him once. Now, it will be the second. I think the fight will be very similar. The first time, most of the time, it was rolled out standing up and I think it will be the same. It's going to be a good duel. I trained my striking a lot to be able to knock people out and I think I can knock him out,” said Lyoto.

Even with confidence in his fists, Machida says he has no preference for the way in which the positive result wins. For people from Pará, the important thing is the triumph so that the athlete can continue on the path towards the Bellator belt, a company the athlete has been working for since December last year.

“I have no preference (about victory. I just want to fight for the belt. In any division. Anyone they offer me, I'll take it. But, if it's in the light heavyweight division (up to 93kg), it would be ideal", said the Brazilian.

At 41 years old, Lyoto, who recently admitted his desire to fight until he is 44, shows that his competitive spirit is still alive, even after so many years of his career. The athlete also said that he thinks about becoming champion of two different categories in Bellator.

“I just want to be a champion and have a belt and, who knows, maybe be a winner in two categories one day. I just want to fight for the belt in my next match”, concluded the fighter.

Lyoto held the Ultimate champion belt between 2009 and 2010. In total, the fighter has 26 wins and just eight losses in his career.

Mousasi was recently defeated by Rafael Lovato and ended up losing his organization's middleweight belt.