Machida Took Bout With Training Partner To Keep The UFC Happy

“I thought for a while about it (when UFC offered the change), but I didn’t want to disappoint and frustrate the UFC. The date wasn’t that bad. I was already training hard for my fight, so I decided to take it. They were both main events, but this is a better one because Mark Munoz is better ranked and it’s not a (Fight For The Troops) card… We were training together so that’s a little complicated, but that’s inevitable here in California. We always look for better training so we ended up training together. It’s complicated, but it’s tough for both of us. I’ve learned some things from his game, but he did too. Mark Munoz was always very friendly, gave me tips during trainings. We helped each other a lot. But we were training together, it’s not like he was teaching me. You test yourself a lot during sparring.”

In a recent interview with MMAFighting.com former UFC light-heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida, discussed his upcoming fight against Mark Munoz.

Machida makes his middleweight debut at UFC Fight Night 30 on Oct. 26 against Munoz in the main event from Manchester England.

He was forced into the slot after Michael Bisping suffered an eye injury, putting Machida in his place against Munoz. Lyoto was originally slated to face Tim Kennedy at Fight For The Troops 3.

Kennedy has now been put up against Rafael Natal, who serves as Machida’s replacement.