MIAMI – Lyoto Machida is not ready to hang up the gloves just yet.
The former UFC champion is hoping to get one more fight before walking away from MMA. Machida (26-12 MMA), who was most recently fighting under the Bellator banner, is no longer with the promotion and now sits as a free agent, MMA Junkie confirmed on Friday.
The 44-year-old ideally would like to get one more fight in before putting an end to his illustrious career.
“Yes, I would like to fight at least one more time, who knows can be the farewell or something like that,” Machida told MMA Junkie at Friday’s UFC 287 legends Q&A with Georges St-Pierre, Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman.
Machida was last seen in May 2022 at Bellator 281 where he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Fabian Edwards. Almost a year removed from that contest, Machida has kept busy – even if inactive professionally.
“So I’m training pretty much every day because I love to train, it’s a part of my life,” Machida said. “Martial arts is in my blood, but you never know. I train with the young guys and I do sparring at least once a week and I feel very good. For now, I don’t have any offers, so I prefer just to keep training and do what I love to do.”
UFC ?
I’ll watch him fight Perry in BKFC.
Do ya think they will bring him back ?
They would just feed him to some up and comer. It’s strange he didn’t stay at Bellator, they would definitely give him a sendoff fight. They treat their legends well.
Maybe for one or two if he doesn’t out price himself.
If hes still drinking his own Urine Your In
He can try that Karate Combat league.
WunderMan ?
Go to Rizin and get on the juice for a bit. They have tons of fighters in their late 40s and even 50s on their roster that are in every show. Would be a great fit honestly.
Crazy.
Guys who should have been done so many years ago always popping up with “I want one more!”
It is a shame Machida will end his great career fighting somewhere below Bellator where less than nobody will see him.
zactly