Machida asks for Bisping, but doesn't rule out Belfort. Photo: Reproduction / YouTube
Lyoto Machida made peace with victory, in the early hours of last Sunday (04), by defeating Erik Anders in the main fight of UFC Belém. But 'Dragon' doesn't want to celebrate the triumph for too long and is already thinking about his next commitment. Still in the octagon, the Brazilian challenged the Englishman Michael Bisping for a superfight between former champions, but he won't even rule out a fight against his compatriot Vitor belfort.
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Machida explained that he doesn't have any kind of rivalry with the Englishman, but would like to face him before they hang up their gloves.
“This fight (against Bisping) was supposed to happen a few years ago. We grew up together, we are contemporaries, a fight between us would be important for the UFC, cool for us, to see what the result would be. (…) We came together in the sport, soon he will retire, I will retire, and the fight will not happen. I have a lot of respect for him as an athlete. This desire (to face him) is just a desire to establish this victory.” Machida said.
Vitor belfort
Lyoto was also asked if he would be interested in facing Vitor belfort, his former teammate and who he even challenged on a few occasions, when they were at the top of the middleweight division. The black belt preferred not to argue, but he wouldn't reject the duel.
“Look, I would prefer to fight someone who isn't from my country, that's my preference, but as a professional I can't say no. If I had a choice, I would be a foreigner, an outsider... but Vitor is a co-worker, a professional. I don't know how this gets to him, but I see it from the professional side.
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