Lyoto Machida, 'Jacare' Souza jockey for title chance at UFC Fight Night 36

(This story first appeared in today’s edition of USA TODAY.)

JARAGUA DO SUL – UFC middleweight titleholder Chris Weidman knows his next opponent will be Brazilian slugger Vitor Belfort. Saturday, a pair of Belfort’s countrymen will look to position themselves as next in line.

UFC Fight Night 36, which will take place at Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil, features a pair of key middleweight contests as Lyoto Machida (20-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) faces Gegard Mousasi (34-3-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the main event and Ronaldo Souza (19-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) takes on Francis Carmont (22-7 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the co-feature. The five-fight main card airs on FOX Sports 1 (10:30 p.m. ET).

“I’ve been through this before, so I try not to get ahead of myself,” Machida told USA TODAY Sports. “I try not to create a lot of expectancy because I don’t want to be disappointed.”

Machida, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, would seem to have the inside track on the title shot. He made the move from 205 pounds to 185 in October, spectacularly knocking out perennial contender Mark Munoz. However, Souza, a former Strikeforce champ, has looked equally impressive in his first two UFC appearances.

Souza seems comfortable taking a backseat to Machida for now, but he thinks he’s ready to challenge for the title should the UFC decide he’s most worthy.

“It’s only my third fight in the UFC,” Souza said through a translator. “Machida was a champion at light heavyweight, so he’s been around a long time. He’s probably ahead of me, but … I’m going to make sure I do a good job so (the UFC) see what I’m doing as well.”

UFC President Dana White has long declared his job is to put on fights fans most want to see. So if Machida and “Jacare” win, the athlete who does it most impressively might get the nod.

Souza faces a grinding wrestler in massive Carmont, who is best known for using a controlling, smothering attack to nullify his opponent’s strengths.

“He’s a big guy, and he moves well,” Souza said. “He’s got a lot of tools to bring to this fight. But whatever he brings, I’m ready to show people that I’m ready for whatever comes my way.”

Karate stylist Machida faces a well-rounded opponent who typi- cally shines in the standup department. Both fighters are technically gifted counter-strikers, so patience and strategy likely will prove key factors.

Yet patience doesn’t always equal excitement, and Machida knows it. “I mean, we’re both going to have our strategy, but if the hunter doesn’t go, the hunted has to instead,” he said.

Weidman and Belfort meet May 24 at UFC 173, and Machida and Souza think it will be a competitive matchup. While Machida declined to pick a winner, Souza said he expects the champion to retain his belt.

“It’s going to be a tough fight, but I feel that Chris Weidman has a little edge because he has good wrestling and a good submission game,” Souza said.

Meanwhile, Machida and Souza both look to pass stern tests they hope will propel them to a title shot, even if neither is ready to proclaim himself No. 1.

“Everyone’s been talking about the belt and who’s going to get the title shot, but that’s not what I’m thinking about,” Machida said. “I’m going to be efficient and do my job. If I get a title shot, that’s great. I’ll be happy to receive it.”

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 36, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Ronaldo Souza)