BREAKING | Lyoto Machida returns to the Octagon at UFC Sao Paulo

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, who also contended for the title at middleweight, has not been seen in the cage since June of 2015, when he was smashed to a third-round TKO by the ever-dangerous Yoel Romero. The reason for the former champ’s prolonged absence is an unfortunate USADA-administered suspension stemming from his admitted but inadvertent use of the banned substance 7-Keto-DHEA. Luckily, Machida’s 18-month sit has almost reached its expiration date, and he is now set to return when the UFC touches down in Sao Paulo Brazil this October 28. His opponent will be dangerous American middleweight contender Derek Brunson.

This fight was announced by UFC Brasil on Twitter.

🚨CONFIRMADO!🚨 @lyotomachidafw encara @DerekBrunson na luta principal do #UFCSP. Saiba mais > https://t.co/FfjKIBdDU5 pic.twitter.com/ZvhW24EaJG

— UFC Brasil (@ufc_brasil) August 21, 2017

The promotion then shared the official poster for this Sao Paulo card, and it’s a cool one.

Confira o pôster oficial do #UFCSP, que acontece em 28 de outubro, no Ginásio do Ibirapuera > https://t.co/9Kc2rKa7zK pic.twitter.com/ABwzC3CbKe

— UFC Brasil (@ufc_brasil) August 21, 2017

Machida will enter this fight on a two-fight skid, having lost to Romero and former champ Luke Rockhold in his last two outings. These losses were preceded by a win over CB Dollaway, and a failed title fight with then champion Chris Weidman. Machida is 22-7 as a pro.

Brunson, meanwhile, last stepped into the cage in June, when he thumped Dan Kelly to a first-round knockout. This win was preceded by back-to-back losses to Anderson Silva and Robert Whittaker. He’s 17-5 overall.

The UFC’s October 28 return to Sao Paulo will also feature a light heavyweight scrap between former title challenger Glover Teixeira and promising Latvian-Canadian prospect Misha Cirkunov.

How do you think Lyoto Machida will look in his anticipated return to the Octagon? Do you think he can take out Derek Brunson?

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 8/21/2017.