L. Machida has a record of 21 wins and four losses. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
As old as combat sports themselves, the strategy of provoking the rival before a fight to attract public attention and make the fight more popular is present in everyday MMA life. But if it depends on the Brazilian Lyoto Machida, his fight for the middleweight belt against Chris Weidman at UFC 175 will be promoted in other ways. During a press conference this Monday (30), Lyoto avoided controversy by commenting on statements by Weidman's coach Ray Longo, that he would be easy prey for his athlete.
“I like to show what I really am, I want to sell the fight in another way, through what I'm showing in the fight. I'm not worried about selling the fight by offending my opponent. I want to be professional”, said Machida, who also stated that he does not feel discredited for not adopting the “talkative” style. “When I speak, I try to speak as well as possible, to find something good about my opponent, because I don't want to say anything bad about anyone. It’s not my characteristic,” he added.
Next Saturday (5), with or without promotion through public statements, Lyoto Machida steps up to the octagon to challenge the middleweight belt, currently held by the American Chris Weidman. The duel between Weidman and Machida is the main fight of UFC 175, which takes place at Mandalay Bay, in Las Vegas (USA). In the evening's co-main event, women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey puts your title on the line against the challenger Alexis Davis.
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