Lyoto Machida: Is the UFC punishing me?

Once, Lyoto Machida had never lost a round in the UFC, and became light heavyweight champion of the world. Then he lost his title to Shogun, and lost again to Rampage. Most recently, in April, he came back and beat a faded Randy Couture in holy f—— s— fashion.

Then an injured Phil Davis dropped out of a fight vs Rashad Evans, and Machida was offered the last minute replacement spot. He agreed to, but wanted “Anderson Silva money” where upon a visibly upset Dana White brought in Tito Ortiz instead.

Machida recently tweeted that it looks like he won’t be fighting until 2012. “Hey guys, I think the Octagon only next year.” There is speculation that Machida is being kept on ice as punishment for not taking Tito Ortiz’s route..

Below, Machida responds when asked directly if he thinks the lack of another fight in 2011 is punishment.

“It’s hard to say. Maybe so, maybe not. Perhaps they’re keeping me on the sidelines, but I don’t believe that.

“I met with Lorenzo Fertitta in Rio and he talked to me, he said what happened was in the past, for me not to worry. But I find myself in a difficult situation, a complicated one, I don’t know if he said that but would act in a different way, or if they’re waiting to make a fight.

“I am waiting, I want to concentrate in my work and accomplish it with proper time.”