Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida's match with Chris Weidman may still be two whole months away but the former UFC lightheavyweight champion has already crafted what seems to be a foolproof game plan for his upcoming bout against the reigning middleweight champion.
Lyoto Machida's drop to middleweight has been a success so far, which gave him an instant shot at Chris Weidman's title after just two fights. The fight was originally scheduled to happen at UFC 173, but due to Chris Weidman being sidelined because of a knee injury, it was moved to July 5th as the main event bout for UFC 175.
Lyoto Machida's success in the UFC has been mainly attributed to his unique ability of mixing his Shotokan Karate skills into Mixed Martial Arts, making him one of the most elusive fighters in the game today. He looks to do the same against Chris Weidman, and with full confidence, feels like he knows exactly what to do to come out victorious.
"I sure do (know how to beat him)," Machida said in an interview with MMA Fighting. "But I won't tell you how now [laughs]."
This air of confidence does not in any way convey that Lyoto Machida has no respect for Chris Weidman's skills. After all, the reigning middleweight champion was the man who was able to end Anderson Silva's seven-year reign as the UFC's 185-pound champion, and Lyoto Machida believes that he is in for a tough ride back to the title.
"He has a good wrestling game and hits hard," Machida added. "He has a good cardio but I believe a lot in what I do and in my work. I believe in me."
Lyoto Machida also believes that his opponent's injury will not in any way put him at an advantage, and respects Chris Weidman's intelligence as a champion.
"As a champion, I know he would never take risks if he really didn't need it. I don't think he will be in disadvantage because of the surgeries. He wouldn't risk his title, so I believe he will be 100 percent ready."
