Lyoto Machida Defeats Eryk Anders In Controversial Split Decision, Calls Out Bisping

Lyoto Machida gained his first win after a questionable USADA suspension, and his first since 2014, but it wasn't without controversy.

The former UFC Light Heavyweight champion toppled rising star Eryk Anders at UFC Fight Night Belem. The fight went the duration of five rounds, before Machida walked away with a split decision.

You can see an excerpt from Fightful.com's live coverage below.

Round 5: There is a little more urgency in the way the fighters are attacking. Anders tries to take down Machida more while Machida throws more low kicks but also uses some high kicks. Anders shoots for a takedown and Machida lands a hard knee to the body. Anders pours on some offense at the end of the round. 

Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Anders. 

Official Result: #14 Lyoto Machida def. Eryk Anders by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-48)

There were several judging and refereeing issues on the show, and Machida's victory was one of them. 78 percent of media scores, and 62.7 percent of fan scoring (per MMA Decisions) gave the fight to Anders, who suffered his first UFC loss. 

After the fight, Machida called out the retiring Michael Bisping, while Anders said he'd like to fight Dave Branch in Orlando. 

You can see Fightful.com's full main card coverage of UFC Belem at this link, and the post-show podcast at this link.