There has been a major change to the UFC 173 card as the main event has changed. Due to the recent NSAC changes, UFC Middleweight contender Vitor Belfort has been forced to pull out of his title fight with current Champion Chris Weidman. Vitor Belfort is perhaps the scrutinized TRT user currently signed on the UFC roster despite other big name users also using the testosterone balancing treatment. With Belfort out of the title fight with Weidman, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida has been booked as his replacement to fight for the title.
Lyoto Machida is coming off a close decision victory over former multi-promotion champion, Gegard Mousasi. Machida made his 185 lb debut at the end of 2013 after defeating top ten contender and friend, Mark Munoz. He first decided to drop to middleweight after a highly controversial decision loss to Phil Davis at UFC 163. Many felt that Machida clearly won the fight, but he still fell short on the judges' scorecards.
Lyoto Machida may only sport a 2-0 record in the UFC's Middleweight Division, but he is definitely a worthy and deserving challenger. His two fights at 185 lbs. both earned him post-fight bonuses. He earned KO of the Night over Mark Munoz and Fight of the Night in his most recent bout with Gegard Mousasi. As a Light Heavyweight, Lyoto Machida had a record of 11-4 with all of his wins clear decisions or stoppages. His four losses came by the hands of three current or former UFC champions (Mauricio Rua, Quinton Jackson and Jon Jones) and one top ten contender (Phil Davis). His fights with Mauricio Rua and Jon Jones were stoppages, but his fights with Jackson and Davis could arguably have been wins for Machida.
Machida has an evasive style similar to Anderson Silva, but with a greater emphasis on complete evasiveness and not just head movement. Machida has an unorthodox fighting style that I believe will give Weidman some trouble and make it hard for Weidman to grab a hold of him. If Weidman wants to gain a victory over Machida, He will need to somehow cut off the cage from Machida, grab him and smash him on the ground. I don't see Weidman earning a quick KO over Machida. I feel that Weidman will have to work hard for a win over Machida. He'll be playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse that usually frustrates most of Machida's opponents. Will he be able to retain the title against a man who I feel is a tougher test than Anderson Silva. Only time will tell and I am excited to find out.
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