Lyoto Machida: It’s an ‘honor’ to fight Belfort in his retirement bout

Two legends of the sport will collide at UFC 224, and one of them will walk away from the Octagon for good.

Vitor Belfort, a former multi-division champion and MMA veteran of twenty-two years, is expected to hang up the gloves – win or lose – after his middleweight bout with Lyoto Machidaon May 12.

After having followed Belfort’s career over the years and trained with him on several occasions in Brazil, Machida is honored to duke it out with ‘The Phenom’ in what could be his last fight.

“This fight, if it’s really his last fight, it’s an honor to be part of this event because it’s a historic moment,” Machida said at a media conference ahead of UFC 224, per MMA Weekly’s Jeff Cain. “He’s a guy that helped build this sport. He’s done a lot for the sport and in Brazil and throughout the world. So to be part of this moment, it’s an honor for me.”

Belfort, who turns 41 next week, snapped a three-fight losing skid last June at UFC 212, beating fellow veteran Nate Marquardt via unanimous decision. The knockout artist hasn’t won via KO since his brutal head kick finish of Dan Henderson in 2015.

Machida, 39, snapped a three-fight losing skid of his own when he eked out a split decision win over Eryk Anders last month at UFC Fight Night 125.

The Brazilian promises to put on a show for his countrymen at UFC 224.

“We’ll put on a show. I believe this fight is good for everyone: me, Vitor, the fans, for everyone. I think that everyone will like to watch this fight, so it’s a good fight for everyone,” Machida said.

The UFC 224 PPV extravaganza takes place on May 12 at the Jeunesse Arena in Belfort’s home city of Rio de Janeiro.