Ahead of UFC 173, new opponents Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida meet up

So much for pre-fight posturing and trash-talk.

Following this past week’s announcement that the Nevada State Athletic Commission has banned exemptions for testosterone-replacement therapy – and following Vitor Belfort’s subsequent withdrawal from a UFC 173 title fight – his originally scheduled opponent, UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, caught up with his new foe: replacement and former champ Lyoto Machida.

The UFC 173 headliners crossed paths at the Arnold Sports Festival, a four-day sports, fitness and nutrition expo in Columbus. (Coincidentally, Zuffa used to hold a UFC, WEC or Strikeforce show at Ohio’s Nationwide Arena each year in conjunction with the festival, but skipped 2013 and this year.)

Machida posted the above photo to show their friendly meeting.

Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), a nearly 2-1 favorite, meets Machida (21-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) May 24 on pay-per-view from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Also see:

• NSAC votes unanimously to ban testosterone-replacement therapy, effective immediately
• Brian Stann, Tim Kennedy, Travis Browne speak out on NSAC’s TRT ban
• Twitter reacts to Nevada’s TRT ban and UFC’s response
• TRT is banned at last, but the battle isn’t over yet
• Michael Bisping: Belfort will find new way to cheat, Weidman will get another asterisk
• Vitor Belfort out of UFC 173 title fight, Chris Weidman now meets Lyoto Machida
• Belfort denies voluntary UFC 173 withdrawal, says he’s fighting Weidman-Machida winner
• ABC won’t ban TUEs for TRT, president asks medical committee to review NSAC decision
• Chris Weidman opens as -210 favorite over Lyoto Machida in UFC 173 title fight
• Vitor Belfort’s lawyer says random NSAC test results ‘not relevant’

For the latest on UFC 173, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.