Lyoto Machida signed with Bellator even after UFC matched offer because he’s a man of his word

[KazDibiase]

In another interesting twist to the story, Machida recently revealed on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show UFC actually matched Bellator’s offer, but he elected to sign with the Viacom-owned promotion because he had already given Scott Coker and Co. his word.

“I went to Bellator and they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Everything was okay, UFC did match everything but I was keeping my word to Scott Coker an Mike Kogan. I am a man of my word. So when UFC did match everything, I couldn’t come back again. Scott Coker asked me how much I would like to receive for fight. So he said, ‘Lyoto, if I give that to you, will you jump aboard to Bellator?’ And I said yes. When I come back to UFC and tell everything that happened, UFC match everything, but you know I had gave my word to Scott Coker and Bellator and that is one of my principles so I can not go back on my word. So if i say something I have to do what I said.”
https://www.mmamania.com/platform/a...&utm_source=twitter&__twitter_impression=true

 

[sirmorbach]

I went to Bellator and they made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

Machida woke up with a dead horse in his bed confirmed.

 

[georgekillian]

Fair enough. Hopefully he can close out his career on a high note in bellator.

 

[jojoRed]

Bellator is the best place for him now, a much easier path to the title and easier competition overall whilst getting paid good money(?).

 

[DeformedGravy]

Lyoto got the guarantee his DHEA sponsorship will be on his shorts.

 

[DS66]

With sponsorship money, Lyoto will definitely be making more in Bellator compared to the UFC even with the matched base fight pay.

 

[Dozer .]

How can UFC match sponsorship money?

War Lyoto!

 

[Local Plata]

I wonder who they have in mind for his first fight?

 

[Matty da Ranga]

Machida woke up with a dead horse in his bed confirmed.

I feel like a gangsta because I'm 19 and I get that reference

 

[thomnasty]

Did Coker agree to give Lyoto that Anderson Silva money?

 

[drbolony]

Fucking love that guy. Can't wait to see him KO dudes for big bucks.

 

[maxi diablo]

Sponsors galore for Lyoto.

 

[Heavy Hands]

Lyoto may get cold feet at the thought of hanging up his reebok fight kit.

 

[infamouz ice]

nice going to a place with lenient testing

 

[Coolkid666]

lyoto vs schlemnko might be neat. or mousasi or rory. whatever

 

[ewww21]

2500 bonus not good enough for you!!!! 1!!!! Oh? You wants sponsors?

Peace.

 

[KONG-D'SNT-TAP]

So he's closing out his career in another org. What's the big deal. Good for him. He's always been a class act and great ambassador for MMA.

 

[Dead Kennedy]

Just another example of Lyoto being a class act guy.

 

[Kumason]

Gotta love Lyoto but everything points to Bellator anyway.Kinda seems like patting himself on the back for doing something he would have likely done anyway.In long interviews or podcasts someone can always find something to make a story about though,it's pretty lame.I remember back when news was news and you didn't have to sift through a ton of this guy talked shit about this guy on Twitter level news articles.

 

[jko1355]

this just happened to me! I got a cool job offer they actually went over every offer... but I could not go against my word.