Lyoto Machida turned back the clock at UFC 224.
When legendary fighters Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort finally met, magic happened.
Both fighters approached the fight like a chess match, with the pace slow and calculated in the opening round. They were clearly respectful of each other's finishing prowess, which was evident by the finish in the second round.
Machida was the more active fighter and appeared to have the speed advantage. However, Belfort was always a knockout threat. It was 'The Dragon[ who got the highlight reel knockout though, sending 'the Phenom' face-first into the canvas with a seismic front kick.
Belfort was out before he hit the deck. Machida realised this and showed unreal restraint not to follow up with ground and pound.
https://twitter.com/Maldobabo/status/995491711810973698
The knockout was reminiscent of Anderson Silva's famous finish of Belfort in 2011.
It also had shades of Machida's finish that sent Randy Couture into retirement in 2011.
Out for the Count
After suffering three-fight losing streak, Machida (24-8, 16-8 UFC) is now riding back-to-back wins. He called out former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping in his Octagon interview.
“Let’s wait for the next opponent the UFC is going to give me. I would like to fight Michael Bisping. It’s another fight that could have happened and did not. I want to fight a few more times this year.”
The end of an era
After the loss, former UFC champion Belfort placed his gloves down on the mat to signify he was retiring from the sport. He confirmed this in his Octagon interview.
“It’s been a long ride, everything in life has a beginning, a middle and end. And I think I have come to an end. Congratulations to Machida and I will put my gloves here.”
https://twitter.com/UFCEurope/status/995492921804648448
Thanks for the memories, Vitor.
