Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida knocked out mixed martial arts legend Vitor Belfort in their shared home country of Brazil back at UFC 224. The exciting finish acted as the final fight on Machida’s contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
After brief negotiations, “The Dragon” signed a contract with competing promotion Bellator MMA. Speaking to MMA Fighting, Machida has now come forward with his reasoning behind the change.
“So the UFC, they let my contract run out. So I was free to negotiate with everyone.”
“I came to Bellator and talked to Scott Coker. He made an offer that I couldn’t refuse. Then when I came back to UFC, it was too late because I gave my word to Bellator. I’m a man of my word.”
