Machida: Fight with Fedor would be a superfight

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida tested free agency and received an offer from Bellator MMA president Scott Coker; the UFC matched the offer, but Machida is a highly principled man, and had given his word, so karate is back in a new home.

Machida joins Gegard Mousasi in Bellator, and a rematch appears to be building. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ has accused ‘The Dragon’ of doping and greasing when they fought in 2014, with Lyoto winning a Unanimous Decision. Machida is not impressed.

Everything Mousasi says only motivates me,” said Machida as transcribed by Guilherme Cruz for MMA Fighting. Fighting in Bellator is a dream come true for me. Having a belt is a bigger dream. But I just got to the promotion, one step at a time. I have to fight first, feel well, and then think about this. I want the Bellator belt. I’m not here to be part of the roster and just fight. I came here to become champion and remain champion for as long as I can.

Machida is happy at Bellator. The fighter was bitter after receiving an 18-month USADA suspension for taking an over-the-counter supplement that contained 7-keto-dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). While USADA has apparently stopped doping in the UFC, they have grossly overreached in a number of cases; this is a shame, because at some point the UFC will get a union, and when that happens, the union may gut the testing program, as has happened in the NFL. To be clear, Machida is strongly against doping, but soured on USADA’s sometimes draconian approach.

I’m in favor of the anti-doping system in the sport, I believe it’s good for the sport, but I’m not in favor of how USADA deals with many cases, explained Machida. I think sometimes they are too harsh and don’t take into consideration how the situation occurred, the athlete’s past, similar situations that could be seen when making a hard decision on a professional athlete’s career, who lives and depends on it.

I won’t say I left the UFC because of USADA, no way, but today I feel lighter without USADA. I feel lighter. The thing that you have to report where you are going generated so much stress. Today I’m free, more relaxed. I’m living happier in that aspect.

Machida is also looking forward to opportunities in multiple divisions. He is currently focused on the middleweight belt, but hold a win over Bellator light heavyweight champ Ryan Bader. Now 40, Machida has his sights set higher still.

A fight with Fedor (Emelianenko) would be a superfight, said Machida.

Yah it would.

I’m a fan of Fedor, have been a fan since he was in PRIDE, a great champion,” Machida continued. “And since I like to challenge myself, new challenges, that was one of the offers that came with my move to Bellator. Of course, fighting Fedor would be an honor, a dream.

Machida told Cruz that plans to begin his march towards the Bellator belt in October or November.