Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) knows the pattern all too well. In a span of six fights, Machida went from “defensive bore” to “unbeatable champion” to “rebuilding challenger.” But with a November fight looming against fellow former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Machida says it’s time for the “Return of the Dragon.”
“My one defeat taught me many things,” Machida told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I’m still learning. This defeat gave me a greater hunger to pursue the belt.”
Walking the slow path
When Machida made his UFC debut in February 2007, he brought with him an 8-0 record that included victories over proven talents such as B.J. Penn, Rich Franklin, Stephan Bonnar and Vernon White. The half-Brazilian, half-Japanese fighter expected to take a quick path to the top of the UFC, but company brass has other ideas.
“I did think when I came in that I deserved a higher profile,” Machida admits. “Instead, they chose for me a slow path, step by step. But anything that happens to me, I try to see the positive side.
Lyoto plans ‘return of the Dragon’
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) knows the pattern all too well. In a span of six fights, Machida went from “defensive bore” to “unbeatable champion” to “rebuilding challenger.” But with a November fight looming against fellow former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Machida says it’s time for the “Return of…
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