Lyoto Machida Would Fight Anderson Silva For UFC Middleweight Title

Anderson Silva has always been adamant about not facing Lyoto Machida.

“I’ve already said it, and I’ll say it again. Lyoto and myself— we are brothers. Jacare and myself we are friends— camp friends. So we have a code of honor amongst ourselves that we don’t fight against ourselves regardless of wins and losses, money or fame or not,” Silva stated at a UFC press conference held in Brazil earlier this month. “So I would give up fighting if necessary if I had to fight against Lyoto.”

It turns out Lyoto Machida has different feelings on the issue.

Just hours after brutally knocking out Mark Munoz in the first round at ‘UFC Fight Night 30’, Lyoto Machida took place in an interview with the Fox Sports crew. When asked if he would be willing to face Chris Weidman or Anderson Silva if presented the opportunity, he smiled and answered “Yeah, for sure.” Machida continued, “If I want the belt… I have to chase the belt.”

If Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida were to square off in the octagon, it would be one of the biggest events in the company’s history. However, there are a few things have to happen in order for this fight to take place.

The only way it would take place is if it were for the UFC Middleweight Championship.

Dana White stated that Vitor Belfort is likely Lyoto Machida’s next opponent. Belfort is currently scheduled to face Dan Henderson next month at ‘UFC Fight Night 32’ and if he wants to stay in title contention for the UFC Middleweight Championship, he will have to walk out of the octagon with his hand raised. A victory from “The Phenom” would mean that his following bout with Machida would have title implications.

Chris Weidman not only dethroned Anderson Silva at UFC 162— he knocked him out cold. In a scenario where Anderson Silva is the victor, it depends on the fashion how he wins if he has to give Weidman an immediate rematch. The only way Silva would not have to give the current champion an immediate rematch is if he embarrasses him for a majority of the fight. Then, and only then, would it make sense for Lyoto Machida to face Anderson Silva.

The stars have perfectly aligned in the past for UFC to make big money. It could happen again.