Lyoto Machida gjorde comeback i oktober förra året mot Derek Brunson efter att ha varit avstängd av USADA i två år. Nu är Machida (22-8) återigen inplanerad för en match, den här gången mot den oslagne mellanviktaren Eryk Anders (10-0). Inför matchen har Machida uttalat sig i en intervju med brasilianska combate. I intervjun talar han bland annat om att han känner sig tvingad att ta de matcher han kan och om hur han ser på sin motståndare inför matchen.
Eryk Anders is a great fighter, he’s undefeated, tough and powerful, I’m at a place where I don’t have much of a choice. I have to accept what comes my way and be thankful to have the opportunity to fight again. I noticed he’s a tough guy, but he doesn’t excel in any aspect of the game. He’s no Demian Maia or Jacare [Souza] on the ground, he’s not really a wrestler, but he can do a little bit of everything.
Machida talar även om hur han ser på pension.
I don’t think about that. I try to look at the bright side. I was hard to go through those times. This is a new opportunity, I don’t think about retirement, I feel young, quick, and I can train with anybody. I was never knocked out in practice the way I was knocked out by Brunson. I believe I still have quite a ways to go. These things happen. If you lose three or four in a row, people start talking about retirement. They are not used to this sport, like they are used to tennis. If you take a look at how many times Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lost, it’s all part of the game. Soccer is no different, teams go through bad times and then rise again. It’s time to improve.
Lyoto Machida möter Eryk Anders i huvudmatchen på UFC Fight Night 125 som går av stapeln 3:e februari i Belem, Brasilien.
