Report: Lyoto Machida Has Agreed To Deal With Bellator

Bellator has agreed to sign another former UFC Champion.

Lyoto Machida joins Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Frank Mir as former UFC Champions who have made the move to Bellator MMA. ESPN has reported that Machida and the mixed-martial-arts promotion have verbally agreed to an exclusive multi-fight contract. Reportedly, Machida will be fighting before the end of 2018.

The 40 year old Machida fought in UFC since 2007 and he went 16-8 while he was with the promotion. He won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2009 when he knocked out Rashad Evans and he held onto the Championship until his second fight with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in 2010. Before his loss to Rua, Machida had been undefeated including eight UFC wins.

In the last several years, Machida had made a transition to the Middleweight division and experienced a three fight losing streak but he has won his last two fights against Vitor Belfort and Eryk Anders. 

Fightful MMA will continue to report on the developments between Bellator and Machida and the future of Machida’s MMA career.