His father was the head from the Brazilian branch of the crampon mercurial Japan Karate Association. As Lyoto was raised, we began learning karate at the age of three and earned his black belt at the age of 13. He also started training the skill of Sumo at age twelve and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age fifteen. He won the 2001 Pan American Karate Tournament and several other amateur karate tournaments.
Machida was the runner up in the 2000 Brazilian Sumo Championships. He became the Brazilian Champion twice when he was an adult, and that he placed second within the South American Championship. In college, Machida was taken under the wing of Antonio Inoki. Inoki took him like a prot?g? and began training him in Muay Thai in Thailand. Machida made his MMA debut in Inoki?s New Japan Pro Wrestling: Ultimate Crush on May 2, 2003 where defeated journeyman Pancrase fighter Kengo Watanabe. He then fought runner-up Stephan Bonner in The Ufc's ultimate figher 1. He then fought Rich Franklin and defeated him with strikes early in the second round.
Once his record was 3-0, Machida fought Michael McDonald and Sam Greco, in which he defeated. He then fought B.J. Penn in K-1 Hero?s in which he also beat by decision. Machida officially split form Inoki, he signed using the World Fighting Alliance and started to compete in the U.S. He defeated Vernon White by decision in his debut American fight in the King of the Streets event in California crampon hypervenom. Following the WFA went out of business, the UFC acquired Machida?s contract.
Machida made his UFC debut fighting Sam Hoger and won by decision. He also went on to beat David Heath and also beat Kazuhiro Nakamura at UFC 76. In June 2009, Machida was nominated for that 2009 ESPYS "Best Fighter" category, but didn't gain enough votes to win.
Machida fought Rashad Evans at UFC 98. He wound up taking him down within the second round following a flurry of accurate punches. Machida was crowned the brand new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. This victory continued his undefeated streak as well as gave Evan?s his first career loss.
Machida's first title defense came when Mauricia "Shogun" Rua fought him in 2009. Machida won having a magista obra pas cher unanimous decision from the judges by one point over Rua. This resulted in a sizable controversy where the UFC president felt that Rua had won. Wonderful this controversy, Machida has become scheduled to face Rua inside a rematch for that title for UFC 113 on May 8th in Canada. The reason why this match continues to be postponed for seven months happens because Machida suffered an injury to his hand throughout the first fight with Rua.