Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis first met in the UFC Octagon back in 2013.
According to MMA Fighting Bellator MMA is working on a light heavyweight rematch between former UFC foes Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis. The pair first fought in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 163 on August 3, 2013.
In their first meeting, which was a co-main event underneath Jose Aldo’s UFC featherweight title defense over Chan Sung Jung, it was the American who got their hand raised. However, not everyone thought he deserved to. Machida outstruck and wobbled Davis in the fight, but lost out on the judges scorecards—who may have preferred Davis’ few takedowns to Machida’s striking.
The win was the biggest of Davis’ career and had some, including Davis himself, talking of a potential match-up with UFC light heavyweight G.O.A.T Jon Jones. That would never materialize, though—thanks to a thorough beating at the hands, and feet, of Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson.
After the loss to Johnson Davis beat Glover Teixieira and lost to Ryan Bader before being released by the promotion.
Since joining Bellator in 2015 Davis has gone 8-2 and both won and lost that company’s light heavyweight title. Most recently he beat Karl Albrektsson, by TKO, at Bellator 231 last October.
After his loss to Davis Machida, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, had an inconsistent end to his UFC tenure, getting wins over Mark Munoz, Gegard Mousasi, C.B. Dolloway and Eryk Anders and suffering losses to Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Yoel Romero and Derek Brunson. The losses to Romero and Brunson both came via KO.
Machida’s last fight in the UFC was his highlight reel front kick KO over Vitor Belfort at UFC 224. He joined Bellator soon after and made a successful debut at Bellator 213, where he beat Rafael Carvalho by split decision.
Last year Machida made his Bellator light heavyweight debut and TKO’d Chael Sonnen. He followed that up with a split decision loss to Gegard Mousai.
MMA Fighting reports that Bellator’s September 11 card is expected to take place at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Uncasville, CT.