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Lyoto Machida says fight against Michael Bisping ‘would mean a lot’ before either man retires
. . .
“I was very happy to fight at home, and Eryk’s a very tough opponent,” Machida said Saturday night at UFC Belem’s post-fight press conference. “I think that I was able to control the fight and land more punches. He kept the pressure on, but I think that it’s a matter of who can connect more shots.
“Of course, there’s always doubts (about the decision). You don’t know how the judges interpreted the fight, if they were looking at who kept the pressure or who landed more shots, so there’s always definitely some doubt.”
Machida, 39, called his shot in the immediate aftermath of his defeat of Anders, targeting former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping for his next fight. Afterward, Machida elaborated on his Bisping callout, explaining that the matchup is one that is a long time in the making and is something Machida hopes to secure before either he or the 38-year-old Brit retire.
“That’s a fight that should’ve happened a couple times and it didn’t,” Machida said. “I think we both matured together in this sport, so I think fight between Michael Bisping and myself would mean a lot.
“He might retire sometime soon, I could retire sometime soon, and people asked for that fight, so it’s a fight that interests me.”
Until recently, Bisping was expected to compete in his retirement fight on March 17 in London, England. Bisping clarified his intentions earlier this week though, announcing on Twitter that he won’t be fighting at UFC London after all.
On Saturday, Machida also demurred when asked about potentially fighting at UFC London, stating that he wasn’t sure about the date or the recovery time he’ll need after fighting twice in 15 weeks.
Machida also entertained the idea of facing another veteran who is zeroing in on retirement — former UFC champion Vitor Belfort — however Machida made it clear that he preferred Bisping.
“If I had a choice, I’d rather not fight someone from Brazil..."
https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/2/...ng-would-mean-a-lot-before-either-man-retires
. . .
“I was very happy to fight at home, and Eryk’s a very tough opponent,” Machida said Saturday night at UFC Belem’s post-fight press conference. “I think that I was able to control the fight and land more punches. He kept the pressure on, but I think that it’s a matter of who can connect more shots.
“Of course, there’s always doubts (about the decision). You don’t know how the judges interpreted the fight, if they were looking at who kept the pressure or who landed more shots, so there’s always definitely some doubt.”
Machida, 39, called his shot in the immediate aftermath of his defeat of Anders, targeting former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping for his next fight. Afterward, Machida elaborated on his Bisping callout, explaining that the matchup is one that is a long time in the making and is something Machida hopes to secure before either he or the 38-year-old Brit retire.
“That’s a fight that should’ve happened a couple times and it didn’t,” Machida said. “I think we both matured together in this sport, so I think fight between Michael Bisping and myself would mean a lot.
“He might retire sometime soon, I could retire sometime soon, and people asked for that fight, so it’s a fight that interests me.”
Until recently, Bisping was expected to compete in his retirement fight on March 17 in London, England. Bisping clarified his intentions earlier this week though, announcing on Twitter that he won’t be fighting at UFC London after all.
On Saturday, Machida also demurred when asked about potentially fighting at UFC London, stating that he wasn’t sure about the date or the recovery time he’ll need after fighting twice in 15 weeks.
Machida also entertained the idea of facing another veteran who is zeroing in on retirement — former UFC champion Vitor Belfort — however Machida made it clear that he preferred Bisping.
“If I had a choice, I’d rather not fight someone from Brazil..."
https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/2/...ng-would-mean-a-lot-before-either-man-retires
