Lyoto Machida Not Worried About Long Layoff

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida will be returning from an 18 month suspension this October, after he was suspended by USADA after disclosing use of a banned substance. 

Even though Machida will be out of action for nearly two years by the time he officially returns, that hasn’t stopped him from training and evolving during the suspension.

“It’s very hard because the sport evolves so fast, changes so fast,” Machida said on The Fighter & The Kid. “So, you have to be there to see the changes that are happening in the moment. That’s why I keep training everyday, I try to mix myself in all of the academies. I try to go to Kings MMA with Master Rafael Cordeiro, do some sparring over there, train over there with a bunch of fighters from the UFC and Bellator.”

While Machida doesn’t have an opponent yet for his UFC return, you can expect a the same kind of Machida when he does make the return.

“It’s not my style,” Machida said. “I’m not gonna change my principles, I’m not gonna change anything just to make money. I’ll stay like (how) Lyoto Machida always was and do my stuff, do a great fight, and try to do some fights through my technique. I don’t want to change my style.”

Machida hasn’t competed since UFC Fight Night 70 in June 2015, where he was finished by Yoel Romero via third round knockout.