L. Machida has a record of 22 wins and five losses. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Eyeing a new chance at the middleweight belt, the Brazilian Lyoto Machida faces fifth place in the category ranking Luke Rockhold on April 18, at UFC on FOX 15. And after achieving the quickest knockout of his career, with a well-aimed kick at CB Dollaway in just one minute, the “Dragon” seems to have gotten excited and has already warned Rockhold that does not want to reach the end of the five rounds scheduled for the duel.
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“I’m going to knock out or submit”, guaranteed Machida, in an interview with the North American website “MMA Fighting”. “But I can’t make a prediction about how I’ll win. Rockhold is a tough guy, so I can't say much. We have to wait and see.”
The Brazilian said he sees gaps in his rival's game, but denied that he will be inspired by his compatriot Vitor belfort – last athlete to beat Rockhold, with a devastating knockout in 2013. “Every fight is different. I don't look at the past much, I just see how it is currently. It's difficult to say, but I see holes in his game. I haven't studied his fights yet, but from what I've seen before, his fights in the UFC and Strikeforce, he's a complete and very tough fighter. Despite this, I am confident,” he assured.
About to have his fifth main fight in a row, which represents all his fights since moving down to middleweight, Lyoto celebrated the opportunity and recognition. “This is great because it shows that this fight is interesting and important, that people really want to watch it. Being in the main event again is great, and I want to give the fans a great performance,” he concluded.
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