Lyoto Machida: Maybe a fight against Luke Rockhold would be excellent
BARUERI, Brazil – After more than seven years in the UFC, Lyoto Machida has firmly established himself as one of the most humble, respectful men in the sport. So when he talks about the mouth-watering proposition of a potential fight with Luke Rockhold, his reserved reply is not unexpected.
“Luke Rockhold has credentials in the UFC, so maybe a fight against him would be excellent,” Machida told MMAjunkie in his native Portuguese.
Yeah, maybe.
Prior to the Rockhold (13-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) callout, Machida headlined Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 58 event, which took place at Jose Correa Arena in Barueri, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Machida (22-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) proved why he’s unquestionably one of the best middleweight fighters in the world while dismantling C.B. Dollaway (15-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in just 62 seconds, and then finishing him off with a thunderous kick to the body and a barrage follow-up punches (watch the Machida vs. Dollaway video highlights).
With his previous two fights going a full 25 minutes, Machida joked he needed to even things out a bit. But he also made it clear he wants to fight anyone who will get him closer to another shot at the middleweight belt.
“My last fight had been long, so this fight was short to compensate a bit,” Machida joked. “Seriously, C.B. is a tough guy, but the blow came in the right place, and he fell. I would now like to make a fight to take me for a new title fight.”
Rockhold would certainly seem to fit that bill.
Chasing his own UFC title shot, Rockhold is on a three-fight winning streak and currently sits No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings. Machida is No. 6 (and Dollaway is No. 8).
Both Rockhold and UFC President Dana White have said it’s a fight they would like to see (via Twitter).
L
@Luke
Rockhold @lyotomachidafw I have been ready bro!!!! I get home tomorrow and will call u this week.
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 21, 2014
When and where the fight could take place remains to be seen. There are a few other key fights lined up on the middleweight calendar right now, but not too many are bigger than the potential for Machida vs. Rokchold.
“The Dragon” said he’ll wait to hear what’s next.
“It could be Luke Rockhold or another,” Machida said. “I’m prepared to face anyone.”