L. Machida (photo) would have immediately accepted a fight against Belfort for the interim title. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Shortly after the injury Chris Weidman, which made him leave the fight against Vitor belfort at UFC 184, the Ultimate organization tried to arrange a duel between the Phenomenon and Lyoto Machida for the interim belt. The proposal, however, was denied by Vitor, who claimed that he had not been preparing to face a left-handed athlete. According to Ed Soares, Machida's manager, however, this would not be a problem for “Dragão”, who, in a relaxed tone, even offered to face his compatriot with a changed base.
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“This is what happened: Dana called me and asked if Lyoto would be interested in fighting Vitor belfort on February 28th and I said I believed so, but that I would check with him quickly. I called Lyoto and, before I finished the question, he said yes, he could send the contract. I called Dana back and told him, who said he would call Vitor. Fifteen minutes later, Dana called me a lot, saying that Vitor didn't want to face Lyoto. He said that Vitor didn't want the fight because he was training for Weidman, not a southpaw and that he wouldn't have enough time to prepare for a southpaw. About 20 minutes later, I sent a message to Dana and said: 'Lyoto told me that he will start all rounds right-handed'. Dana just responded to me by laughing”, said Soares, in an interview with the podcast “The MMA Hour”.
According to the agent, the duel against Belfort for the interim title was a great desire of Machida, who challenged for the linear belt in July last year and ended up defeated by Chris Weidman. “Lyoto wanted this fight. He really wanted the opportunity to fight for the interim title and also face Vitor. It was everything Lyoto wanted”, commented Soares.
Without the fight for the interim middleweight belt, Lyoto Machida has an appointment scheduled for April 18th, when he will face the North American Luke Rockhold in the main fight of UFC on FOX 15, which takes place in the city of Newark (USA). Already Vitor belfort should even wait for the recovery of Chris Weidman to challenge him for the 84 kg division title. The duel does not yet have an official date to take place, but it is estimated that it could take place from May onwards, according to comments from Weidman himself and Joana Prado, Belfort's wife and who manages the company that manages the Brazilian's career. .
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