Lyoto Machida Wants Jacare Souza After He Knocks out Dollaway
Tomorrow night (December 20, 2014) Lyoto Machida will return to the Octagon for the first time since losing a decision to current champion Chris Weidman when he takes on No. 10-ranked CB Dollaway in the main event of UFC Fight Night 58 from Barueri, Brazil.
“The Dragon” will be looking to get back to his winning ways and climb the ladder back to another title shot, but Dollaway will be looking to disrupt those plans come fight night. Machida, however, is confident in his chances this weekend. He spoke up to MMAFighting.com regarding the bout and his opponent:
“I know CB, he is a tough opponent, he is one of the toughest opponents in the division, but I believe in my team, I believe in myself. I think I’m getting used to fighting against wrestling, I know how to move, I know how to punch, how to kick when I fight against wrestling then I think it’s not going to be big trouble for me.”
Many are considering Machida to be a heavy favorite over “Doberman,” as he most likely should be. A top contender as well as a former champion, most are predicting he’ll win rather easily. “The Dragon” has a very precise prediction of his own:
“Knockout,” he said.
The middleweight division is crowded with many elite contenders closing in on a title shot. With a win this weekend, Machida may not get another crack at the belt right away, but he will definitely be in line for a big time fight, and it seems like the Brazilian knows who he wants next:
“I think Jacare is one of the five in the rank and I think Jacare is a great fight for me and I am a great fight for him too. I think that as a professional you don’t think about relationships, the relationship stays outside of the ring.”
Check out the full interview below:
“Jacare” Souza is set to take on rising contender Yoel Romero at UFC 184 on February 28, the same night Weidman defends his title against Vitor Belfort. That could mean that the winner of Souza and Romero will get a title shot, but if not, a bout between Machida and “Jacare” if they were both to win, would surely be an exciting one. It would also be a true title eliminator match.
The only possible problem between this fight happening, besides each man needing to win and “Jacare” not getting a title shot with a win over Romero, is that they have both trained at the Blackhouse Gym.
However, that doesn’t seem to be a problem for “The Dragon” who said relationships should be left outside of the cage. He proved this when he fought Mark Munoz at UFC Fight Night 30 in October, 2013 despite the two previously training together.
Do you think Jacare will be next for “The Dragon” if he gets past Dollaway tomorrow night?
