Lyoto Machida on Eryk Anders fight: I m at a place where I don t have much of a choice

Get the Full StoryLyoto Machida welcomes Eryk Anders challenge, and believes it makes sense given his current track record. Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida welcomes his challenge against undefeated middleweight prospect Eryk Anders. As he explained to Combate, Machida believes the fight makes sense, when he takes a quick peek at his current record and realizes he hasn t won a fight since December 2014.

Eryk Anders is a great fighter, he s undefeated, tough and powerful, Machida said. I m at a place where I don t have much of a choice. I have to accept what comes my way and be thankful to have the opportunity to fight again. I noticed he s a tough guy, but he doesn t excel in any aspect of the game. He s no Demian Maia or Jacare Souza on the ground, he s not really a wrestler, but he can do a little bit of everything.

Given that he s lost all of his last three fights by KO, the 39-year-old was asked about retirement. However, he doesn t believe his time has come just yet.

I don t think about that, Machida said. I try to look at the bright side. I was hard to go through those times. This is a new opportunity, I don t think about retirement, I feel young, quick, and I can train with anybody. I was never knocked out in practice the way I was knocked out by Brunson. I believe I still have quite a ways to go. These things happen.

If you lose three or four in a row, people start talking about retirement. They are not used to this sport, like they are used to tennis. If you take a look at how many times Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer lost, it s all part of the game. Soccer is no different, teams go through bad times and then rise again. It s time to improve.

Lyoto Machida vs. Eryk Anders will serve as the main event of UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil, on February 3. The night s main card will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1.

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