Efter att ha varit dopingavstängd i över två år gjorde Lyoto Machida comeback mot Derek Brunson under UFC Sao Paulo, den 28:e oktober i år. Han förlorade matchen på knockout i första ronden, hans tredje förlust i rad. I en intervju med MMA Fighting berättar karateexperten att han för närvarande inte har några planer på att pensionera sig.
I don’t think about retirement yet, I want to continue fighting. I want to be champion in this division. I dedicate most of my time to this goal. I believe that I will think about stopping when I don’t feel challenged anymore. In the meantime, I will continue working on developing my gym in Los Angeles, Machida Academy. We teach the karate methodology, bringing back the history of the martial art, the attacks that stopped being used when the martial art became a sport, and that my brother and I use in the cage. We’re also finding a way to share with the Brazilian people the philosophy that I’ve learned through the years in the sport.
Machidas tre förluster har alla kommit mot toppnamn i divisionen: Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero och Derek Brunson. Så att dra slutsatsen att Machida är slut för att han har tre förluster i rad vore kanske förhastat.
We must recognize our opponents’ merits, Derek was able to quickly impose his strategy. I had a great preparation, an intense and full camp. Now I’ll start my preparation to get ready for a new fight, a new challenge. I don’t believe that the time away from the Octagon was decisive in this fight. I was following a strategy that was part of my game and my style. Like I said on social media right after the fight, the feeling of getting back inside the Octagon was the most important aspect of this fight.
Den tredje februari kommer UFC att besöka Machidas hemstad Belem. Machida säger dock att han inte ligger i några förhandlingar om match för tillfället, och att han inte har lust att kalla ut någon.
My biggest desire is to put on a good fight, with a well-ranked opponent, so that I climb the ranking and get back in a position to challenge for a belt, It’s so cool to see the promotion going to Belem, where the people love the sport. Fighting in Brazil is always great because you’re close to the fans. It’s a good energy on fight day, during the open workouts, the support on social media is always closer. However, I like to remember that it’s always a challenge to stay focused and isolated, which is important in my preparation for a fight because family and friends will be closer. But like I said, my focus is to put on a good fight, no matter where. I don’t believe in ideal places for a fight. It’s not my style to call opponents out or to challenge anyone, and I don’t believe this is the moment to do so. I think that right now I have to show my results, no matter who I’m set to face in my next fight.
På frågan om han skulle vara intresserad av en match mot Michael Bisping i London i mars, svarar han sin vana troget.
There are no negotiations about that card as well, He’s a well-ranked opponent but, like I said, I don’t believe in picking my next opponent right now.
