L. Machida has a fight scheduled for Bellator 223. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @lyotomachidafw
The Brazilian Lyoto Machida, in fact, appears not to have gone to Bellator just to make money. With two fights and two victories for the company, the man from Pará continues to state that his desire is to win the organization's belt. After almost a year with the company, the fighter states that he had the opportunity to fight for the middleweight title (up to 83,9kg) under the condition of waiting for the new champion, Rafael Lovato, to recover from an announced injury. Machida, however, declined the invitation stating his desire to remain active in his career. The statement was made in an interview with 'MMA Fighting'.
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“Actually, Lovato couldn't fight for now. It looks like he's injured and I wanted to stay active. I won't wait. No. I will prepare for my moment in any fight I accept”, said the Brazilian.
Rafael Lovato became middleweight champion after surprising Gegard Mousasi and defeating the Dutchman in a unanimous decision by the judges in a fight that represented the main attraction of Bellator 223, held in England, on June 22nd.
Lovato's surprise champion also took Machida by surprise, as the athlete, as he has a history with Gegard, imagined that he would fight for the title right after his first victory for the new company.
“I imagined I would fight for the title sooner, after my first victory. But I preferred to look at it in a different way. Every fight is a new experience for me and will only make me stronger and better prepared to reach my final destination, which is the belt. It's not a negative thing for me (not acting for the title right away). I like to stay active”, declared the fighter.
As possible future challengers, with the champion injured, Lyoto and Mousasi will then exchange forces this Saturday (28) and fight a repeat of the duel that took place in 2014, when they were still playing for the UFC. At the time, the Brazilian got the better of the Dutchman. For this weekend, the team from Pará still shows the confidence of other times to achieve another positive result.
“Each fight is a different moment. We have a different strategy, but the idea is always the same. Mousasi is the most dangerous guy I'm facing at the moment. I'm training hard and dedicating myself to not being surprised against him and to be able to knock him out, or even get a submission”, concluded the athlete.
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