Lyoto hasn't fought since June 2015 (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook Lyoto Machida)
Without fighting for over two years, Lyoto Machida is already preparing to return to active duty. The return of the former UFC light heavyweight champion, who currently operates in the middleweight division, should take place in October this year, the month in which the 18-month suspension received for failing a doping test in April 2016 comes to an end. . And if it depends on Lyoto's wishes, the return to the octagon will take place on October 28th, at UFC Sao Paulo. However, he emphasizes that he does not rule out fighting on another card.
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“My preference is a little more Brazil, but I don’t rule out the possibility of Poland. Wherever the best opportunity arises I will accept it – said the fighter – I would really like to fight in Brazil, it would mean a lot to me. But if the UFC puts its foot down, I won’t be able to wait for another chance to fight here, I’ll have to fight wherever,” he declared, in an interview with the Globoesporte website.
If the place for his return to the UFC already has a preference, the opponent is still a mystery. Without winning since December 2014, Lyoto preferred not to name a specific name, but stated that the intention is to face someone who is in the top 8 of the middleweight division.
“If I chose, I would like to fight up to eighth in the rankings. I like the challenge. I want a challenge. I earn much more. My mind is prepared to do my best. This will all put greater pressure on me to do my best”, said Machida, who added that the announcement of the next opponent should come out in August.
“I have spoken to businesspeople and they have said that this can be decided at any time. As soon as I know I will announce it. The fans really want it and so do I. Long before two weeks, this will be closed because the UFC is concerned with giving the athlete time to prepare”, he concluded.
At 39 years old, Machida is coming off two consecutive defeats, to Luke Rockhold by completion, and Yoel romero, by knockout. He even challenged for the middleweight belt in 2014, but was defeated in a unanimous decision by Chris Weidman. In the UFC, there are 14 victories – including one over Rashad evans, in 2009, which earned him the light heavyweight title – and seven setbacks. In total, his professional record has 22 positive results and seven negative results.
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