Lyoto Machida will return to the Octagon this summer in a pivotal bout against rising 205-pound contender Ryan Bader.
“The Dragon” is to be featured on the upcoming card of UFC on FOX 4 later this summer on August 4. It will be his first bout since his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 140 last December.
Despite failing to recapture the UFC light-heavyweight title, and dropping three of his last four bouts, Machida is still considered a valuable addition to the 205-pound division and remains among one of the elite competitors in the sport.
Being matched up against Bader is the kind of fight that the elusive Brazilian needs to regain his confidence and secure his position in the divisional rankings.
Bader will be entering the bout with a lot of momentum since rebounding after a disappointing loss to Tito Ortiz at UFC 132 last year, picking up wins over Jason Brilz and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
However, Machida has shown in the past that he can perform well under pressure.
It was no more evident than in his matchup with Randy Couture at UFC 129. Machida had previously lost two consecutive fights, but he looked to be the superior fighter against the 47-year-old as he evaded strikes and utilized excellent footwork to move in and out of the pocket and counter his opponent’s attack.
Machida would finish Couture in the second round after landing one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history and became a relevant fixture in the division again.
Against Bader, he has the opportunity to reenter the title picture at 205 pounds.
Arguably the most technical and accurate striker today, Machida still possesses the skills to remain a competitor for a few years.
Should he be victorious over Bader, Machida will reposition himself in line for a title shot once again.
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