Four MMA legends are back in the news again, and you can read what they’re up to below.
Bellator Books Lyoto Machida vs. Chael Sonnen
Bellator has been reserve legends struggles and now the promotion has signed a light heavyweight contest between Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani confirmed the booking, though Bellator hasn’t announced a date or location for the competition as of yet. Notably, the competition will take place at 205lbs following Machida last competed at middleweight and Sonnen at heavyweight.
Machida (25-8) defeated Rafael Carvalho via split decision in his Bellator introduction and defeat both Eryk Anders and Vitor Belfort earlier that in the Octagon in what was a comeback 2018 for”The Dragon.” Though he is 40-years-old today, Machida revealed last year he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. Many believed he had been next in line for a rematch against Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi, but rather he will move up to light heavyweight with this big struggle against Sonnen.
Sonnen (31-16-1) is 2-2 at Bellator and is coming from a TKO loss to Fedor Emelianenko at the semifinals of their Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. Prior to that, Sonnen had conquered Quinton”Rampage” Jackson in the championship quarterfinals and Wanderlei Silva prior to that. Though he is 41 now and no more an elite fighter, Sonnen proceeds to property big-name matchups because of his entertaining fights and vibrant personality.
As far as the betting line goes, start looking for Machida to be a big favorite in this one. His solid takedown defense skills together with vicious knockout power contrary to a chinny fighter like Sonnen makes this a very favorable matchup on paper.
ONE Championship Inks Vitor Belfort
After last year’s signings of Eddie Alvarez, Demetrious Johnson and Sage Northcutt, it appears the ONE Championship isn’t done signing former UFC fighters just yet. The Singapore-based MMA advertising announced over the weekend it’s signed former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort to some new, multi-fight contract. Belfort was released from the UFC after announcing his retirement after a KO loss to Machida in May 2018, but ONE gave him an offer he can not deny, and he’ll end his short-lived retirement when he struggles for ONE later this year, probably in Brazil as the promotion looks to expand in South America.
ONE has not announced who Belfort’s first opponent is going to be, however there are loads of options for him. Most probably Belfort is going to be ticketed into a heavyweight fight as he will not have to reduce weight in that circumstance. ONE could easily give Belfort a name fight against their heavyweight winner Brandon Vera, but they might want to give him an easier battle against a journeyman such as James McSweeney. Roger Gracie is the advertising’s light heavyweight/cruiserweight champion, but he has not fought in a couple of decades. Perhaps ONE could reserve that struggle in Brazil. As well, Belfort said he’d be interested in boxing and boxing fights. I personally believe the 41-year-old Belfort should have stayed retired, but at least he’ll make some great cash under the ONE banner. Cro Cop Retires
Legendary heavyweight Mirko Cro Cop has retired, only weeks after a decision win over Roy Nelson in Bellator. According to reports, Cro Cop suffered a stroke and has to retire. Cro Cop (38-11-2, 1 NC) will retire at age 44 among the greatest heavyweights to compete at the sport. He’ll retire on a 10-fight win streak, one which saw him fight and compete all over the world for the best promotions in MMA. We at MMAOB wish Cro Cop the top of luck .
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