| Desription ......... In his first five years of mixed martial arts competition, Lyoto Machida has amassed an unbroken string of victories, besting his opponents with fast legwork and flying feet and fists. Equally at ease dealing karate strikes and devastating back kicks from his unorthodox, southpaw stance as he is gaining submissions via powerful groundwork, the buzz is that Machida is a champion in the making. Sherdog.com lists him as the number three light heavyweight, while MMA Worldwide Magazine ranks Machida – who is known as “The Dragon” -- at six.
A Brazilian native, at the age of four, Machida began his karate training with his father, Shotokan karate master Yoshizo Machida. At the ages of 12 and 15 respectively, Machida began training in Sumo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, quickly gaining mastery over these disciplines while amassing awards, including at the 2001 Pan American Karate Tournament. While earning a degree in physical education, Machida met Japanese wrestling star Antonio Inoki, who led him to the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo in Tokyo and the Inoki team, not parting ways with him until 2006, fighting with K-1, WFA (World Fighting Alliance), and the UFC. Between May 2003 and May 2008, Machida remained unbeaten in all 13 of his matches. Recent conquests include Tito Ortiz, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Kazuhiro Nakamura, and David Heath. Machida currently trains with Anderson Silva at Black House in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. |