Lyoto Machida explains Michael Bisping callout: Fight should've already happened

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida got back on track Saturday when he defeated Eryk Anders in the UFC Fight Night 125 headliner. Afterward, he made a specific request for his next fight.

After beating Anders (11-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) by split decision in the FS1-televised middleweight bout at Mangueirinho Gymnasium in Belem, Para, Brazil, Machida (23-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) said he wants a showdown with fellow former titleholder Michael Bisping (30-9 MMA, 20-9 UFC).

According to Machida, the matchup is long overdue. The Brazilian and the Brit have spent more than 10 years together under the UFC banner, and Machida said now is the time for the bout to finally take place.

“That’s a fight that should have happened a couple times, and it didn’t,” Machida said at the UFC Fight Night 125 post-event news conference. “I think we’ve both matured together in this sport, so I think a fight between Michael Bisping and myself would mean a lot.”

The hiccup to Machida’s plan, of course, is the fact Bisping is on the cusp of retirement. “The Count” originally intended to make his retirement at the UFC’s March event in London, but he recently announced he would not be competing on the card.

Bisping said he’s still trying to decide on whether he’ll make a 30th UFC appearance and have an official send-off from the sport. If that happens, Machida said he should be the obvious dance partner.

“That’s a fight that should have happened in the past, and it didn’t,” Machida said. “It’s just a matter of, he might retire sometime soon. I could retire sometime soon, and people ask for that fight. So, it’s a fight that interests me.”

Machida, 39, entered UFC Fight Night 125 on a three-fight losing skid and with questions about his longevity. “The Dragon” temporarily put off those questions when he edged Anders on the scorecard in his hometown of Belem, and although he entered the fight as an underdog, Machida said he was confident he would rebound.

“Everyone sees our losses and our wins,” Machida said. “It’s out there in this sport. It’s a general thing in life. Everyone has wins and losses; we’re just more apparent with it. It shows we can overcome things.

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 125, check out the UFC Events section of the site.