Lyoto admits hesitation in accepting a fight at UFC Belém, but says: 'I want to fight'

Lyoto returns to the octagon in February (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter UFCBrasil)

After a few weeks of speculation about the UFC Belém main fight, Lyoto Machida was confirmed as the main attraction of the show on February 3rd. The Brazilian returns to the city where he was raised to face the North American Erik Anders, in a middleweight duel. Coming off a knockout defeat at the end of October, the karateka admitted that he hesitated in accepting the duel due to the proximity between the two commitments, but assured that he was ready.

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Lyoto said he spoke with his team and spent time correcting some mistakes with his father, his first master, when the Brazilian still only trained in karate and is ready to face his opponent, undefeated in MMA with ten wins in ten fights.

“Fighting in Belém is a great opportunity. I thought I might not be able to do it because the event is so close, but I talked to my coaches and they agreed it was a good choice. I really want to fight there, so this is a very important step (…) My father spent a month talking to me and correcting his mistakes. It’s important to know that training also happens off the mat”, commented Machida, in an interview with the official UFC Brasil website.

Although Anders is from the United States, the former American football player has a strong connection with Brazil: he is married to a Brazilian woman and, therefore, specifically requested the duel with Lyoto for UFC Belém. The former champion said he had heard about the challenge and says he counts on the support of the local fans to win again.

“I didn’t see what he said, but I heard about it. It will be good for me. He is a fighter who comes from victories, physically strong, has a lot of strength. I'm back to the gym, I never stop training (…) There's nothing better than fighting at my house, with all the people I know, many friends who will be in the arena were part of my upbringing. I know what the fans are like in Pará, not just in MMA, but in any other sport. People like it, the events there are always great,” he declared.

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