Lyoto Machida issues statement on move to Bellator MMA

After 11-straight years as a member of the UFC roster, former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida is headed to Bellator. News of Machida’s relocation was first reported by ESPN earlier this week.

Shortly after this news surfaced, Machida took to Instagram to speak on the move.

“Hello everyone, I’m here to announce a great change in my career,” Machida said in his Instagram statement (via MMAMania). “My contract with UFC has finished, and I’m going to a new house: Bellator, which is a great MMA event that has been growing a lot here in the United States. I’m very grateful for everything that happened with me in the UFC.

“I’m very happy with everything I lived. I believe that everything in our lives is made of periods. All that comes is great and all that goes is also great. We have to be open to new changes, new challenges. This is how I think. My best regards to all of you, and I wish you keep on supporting me, because every time I fight and every time I practice, I do my best for all of you.”

Lyoto Machida moves to the Bellator roster on a two-fight win-streak, having recently defeated Eryk Anders by decision and Vitor Belfort with a front-kick induced knockout — one of the best knockouts of the year thus far.

Interestingly, Machida actually holds victories over both Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, and Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi. Other highlights of his career include wins over Dan Henderson, Tito Ortiz, Rashad Evans, and Randy Couture. He’s currently 24-8 overall.

How do you think Lyoto Machida will perform in the Bellator cage?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 6/23/2018.