Machida (photo) will face Weidman at UFC 175. Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
About to compete in the much-desired fight for the UFC belt, Lyoto Machida he has a calm mind. The former light heavyweight champion, who will face Chris Weidman for the middleweight title at UFC 175, next Saturday (5), avoided creating expectations about a possible title win in the second different category, but expressed his complete confidence in victory.
In a press conference reproduced by the North American website “MMA Weekly”, Lyoto praised Weidman's skills, but assured that he is prepared for any weapon that the champion may present. “He is the best, he is the champion. Nobody can say anything. He is the best at the moment, but on Saturday everything could change,” he warned. “I think he is a complete fighter. He'll try to hit me, for sure, but maybe his main goal is to take me to the ground. But I will be ready for all situations.”
If he defeats Weidman, Machida would join B.J. Penn and Randy Couture as the only fighters to win the belt in two different categories – Vitor belfort, another fighter frequently included in this group, did not win the heavyweight title, but rather a tournament contested at his weight. Machida, however, does not give much importance to the possibility. “My main focus is on my fight. Winning the title in two categories would be great for me, but I'm not thinking about that right now. I’m just thinking about my opponent and my strategy,” he commented. “I try to live in the present. For me, my next challenge is always my biggest challenge. I don't think about what happened in the past. For me, the next fight will be the most important of my life.”
Machida also highlighted the maturity he has reached at the current moment in his life and career. “I'm 36 years old, I'm a veteran and I'm already used to doing this. I have a lot of fights in my career. It's certainly a big event for me, a big challenge, but I'm very calm and well prepared for this fight,” he concluded.
the fight between Lyoto Machida e Chris Weidman will be the main attraction of UFC 175, which will be held in the city of Las Vegas, in the United States. In the co-main event of the night, another title fight: Ronda Rousey will put your title on the line against Alexis Davis.
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