Lyoto (right) will not be the next challenger for the light heavyweight belt
the refusal to Lyoto Machida to face Jon Jones at UFC 152 it cost the Brazilian dearly. The organization's president, Dana White, revealed, in an interview with UFC Tonight, that the Brazilian athlete lost his position as first challenger for the light heavyweight category belt. According to the director, the Brazilian will have to fight before he has the chance to compete for the title again.
"Lyoto Machida is no longer next in line for the title. He will have another fight before then. I couldn’t talk to him because he was in a damn forest somewhere,” White said.
Machida had won the light heavyweight title challenger position by knocking out Ryan bader at UFC on FOX 4. The Brazilian was awaiting the definition of the duel between the champion Jon Jones and the challenger Dan Henderson at UFC 151. But as Hendo suffered a knee injury, Lyoto was called up to face Jones at UFC 152, on September 22nd, but citing lack of time to prepare, he was replaced by his compatriot Vitor belfort.
“Lyoto had been crying for a title shot for a long time. You know how things work. When you deny an opportunity to fight, things go in the other direction,” he added.
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