Machida (photo) wants to return to fight in Brazil. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
The rest was short-lived Lyoto Machida after the defeat to Chris Weidman at UFC 175, which took place on July 5th. Less than a month after the setback in the middleweight title fight, “Dragão” is already back in training and focusing on his next fight. And Lyoto already has a favorite to be on the opposite side of the Octagon upon his return: the former Strikeforce champion Luke Rockhold.
“I had no injuries in the fight against Weidman and so I returned to training sparingly. From September onwards I'll start to get into a performance rhythm and in October I'll be ready to fight again. It’s up to the UFC to place me. I welcome a fight against Luke Rockhold”, said the fighter, in an interview with the website “Globoesporte”.
And it's not just the rival, highly praised by the Brazilian, who is already in mind for Machida. The former UFC light heavyweight champion already knows where he wants to fight next. “He (Rockhold) was a Strikeforce champion and is a guy I respect a lot. It's a fight that would make sense for both of us and for the fans, as we are well placed in the rankings and are thinking about the belt. It would be good, especially if it's in Brazil. I want to perform again soon for the fans and the public. I still have a lot to fight for”, he highlighted.
If Lyoto's wish is confirmed, this would not be the first time that Luke Rockhold would have a main UFC fight in Brazil. In 2013, the North American faced and was knocked out by Vitor belfort in the first edition of the UFC in Jaraguá do Sul (SC). Coincidentally, in the second event in the city of Santa Catarina, it was Machida's turn to have the fight that headlined the night's card. The Brazilian faced it and won Gegard Mousasi in combat carried out last February.
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