Lyoto Machida is a seasoned mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, born on May 30, 1978, in Salvador, Brazil. A noted karate practitioner, Machida is praised for his elusiveness and cerebral approach to the fight game. Growing up in a martial arts family, with his father Yoshizo Machida being a high-ranked Shotokan karate master, played a big part in navigating Lyoto’s trajectory into combat sports. Lyoto grew up in Brazil and so trained quite hard in karate while he used to do Shotokan for his fights that later on turned out the iconic move of him reaching a milestone in UFC.
Win- Loss Record
The following is a detailed breakdown of Lyoto Machida’s professional MMA match record.
- Wins:
- Total Wins: 26
- By Knockout: 11
- By Submission: 2
- By Decision: 13
- Losses:
- Total Losses: 12
- By Knockout: 4
- By Submission: 4
- By Decision: 4
Machida’s MMA Career Summary
Lyoto Machida made his professional debut in 2003 and has since climbed up the ranks with one of the most unique fighting styles ever demonstrated. Said organizations included the UFC and also Bellator MMA, where he was heralded as one of the greatest competitors but more importantly one of sheer brilliance in his craft.
Notable Fights
Lyoto Machida vs. Rashad Evans, UFC 98
Date: May 23, 2009
Outcome: Machida def. Backbone through KO (rewarding spherical 2)
Significance: Machida becomes the first Yushin Okami of The MMAs to win a UFC Light Heavyweight Title and secure his as an all-time legend.
Lyoto Machida def* Mauricio “Shogun” Rua I (UFC 104),
Date: October 24, 2009
Outcome: Machida def. Davis via unanimous decision
Controversy: Shogun was particularly popular, and many fans and analysts thought he won the fight, resulting in an automatic rematch.
Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua II (UFC 113Prosecutor: Pride FC)
Date: May 8, 2010
Result: Machida was knocked out in Round 1.
Importance: He lost the Light Heavyweight Strap.
Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture (UFC 129)
Date: April 30, 2011
Result: Machida wins by KO (flying front kick)
Highlight: Machida dynamited Randy Couture into retirement with a beautiful front kick in this win.
Lyoto Machida vs. Chris Weidman (UFC 175)
Date: July 5, 2014
Outcome: Lost to a unanimous decision in favor of Santos (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Importance: UFC Middleweight Title shot that Machida would later lose to Chael Sonnen after five grinding rounds.
Lyoto Machida vs. Vitor Belfort; UFC 224
Date: May 12, 2018
Outcome: Machida def. Munoz by knockout (front kick)
Relevance: The perfect ending to an all-Brazilian battle and a move that would soon become Machida’s calling card.
Transition to Bellator MMA
Machida now calls Bellator MMA home following a successful run in the UFC. He loves to compete and having faced some very talented opposition during his Bellator days, compiled a mixed record. He went on to fight Gegard Mousasi, Rafael Carvalho, and a handful of other guys in the Bellator cage before taking his curtain call at the end of his career due to old age.
Latest News
In 2024, for the most part, Lyoto Machida has retired from competing and is pursuing other things in life, spending time with his family. He most recently competed in May 2020, losing by first-round knockout to Fabian Edwards at Bellator Europe 8 but has not officially announced his retirement from MMA. The loss represents his fourth straight defeat in Bellator, prompting speculation from fans that Machida might be finished as a professional fighter.
Since then, Llieras has respectively become a coach as well as a broadcaster in the MMA universe and is still someone who commands respect within the martial arts discipline. And simply his name is forever associated with the growth of karate as a part of stand-up striking for MMA.
Personal Life and Family
Being of Japanese descent, Lyoto Machida was raised in a family with deep martial arts roots. At an early age, his father Yoshizo Machida introduced him to the discipline of Shotokan karate. His younger brothers Chinzo, and Kenzo are also successful martial artists. Machida married Fabyola Machida, and they have two children, Kaito and Taiyo. He keeps his family life mostly a secret, but he sometimes shares bits of his experience on social media.
Machida attributes his philosophical approach to martial arts and life in general as being formed by his father. His family, Heuk’s backbone through the highs and lows of his fighting career.
Net Worth
In total, Lyoto Machida has made money as an MMA fighter from his fights, sponsorship deals and more, across a 16-year career. By 2024, his net worth is expected to be around $4 million. He has an impressive fortune resulting from his fighting purses as well as sponsorship deals with the likes of MusclePharm and various other UFC-related promotions.
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