Lyoto Machida Signs Multi-Fight Contract with Bellator MMA
Lyoto Machida is Bellator bound.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion, who has spent the last 11 years competing inside the Octagon, has agreed to a new multi-fight contract to join Bellator MMA.
Bellator officials confirmed the news to MMANytt on Friday following an initial report from ESPN.
“Bellator is pleased to announce the signing of former world champion Lyoto Machida (24-8) to an exclusive, multi-fight agreement. We look forward to seeing “The Dragon” compete inside the Bellator cage in the near future.”
Machida is the latest UFC fighter to join Bellator MMA alongside other veterans such as Rory MacDonald, Ryan Bader and Roy Nelson.
One other name is current Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi, who Machida defeated back in 2014.
Machida will leave the UFC with a 16-8 record overall including his run as light heavyweight champion as well as a two-fight win streak in his most recent bouts.
Machida last fought in May when he earned a spectacular head kick knockout against fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort in his retirement fight from the sport.
There’s no word yet on when Machida might make his Bellator debut but at 40 years old, it’s likely he’ll be looking to get back in action sooner rather than later.
