Four MMA legends have been 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 fights and this time 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 place for the contest as of yet. Notably, the contest will occur in 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 to get”The Dragon.” Though he is 40-years-old now, Machida revealed last year he still has a lot of gas left in the tank. Many thought he had been next in line to get a rematch against Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi, but rather he’ll move back up to light heavyweight with this significant struggle against Sonnen.
Sonnen (31-16-1) is currently 2-2 at Bellator and is coming off of a TKO loss to Fedor Emelianenko in the semifinals of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix. Prior to that, Sonnen had defeated Quinton”Rampage” Jackson in the tournament quarterfinals and Wanderlei Silva before that. Though he’s 41 now and no longer an elite fighter, Sonnen proceeds to land big-name matchups due to his entertaining struggles and vibrant personality.
As far as the gambling line goes, start looking for Machida to be a big favorite in this one. His strong takedown defense skills combined with vicious knockout power contrary to a chinny fighter such as Sonnen makes this an extremely favorable matchup on paper.
ONE Championship Inks Vitor Belfort
After last year’s signings of both Eddie Alvarez, Demetrious Johnson and Sage Northcutt, it appears the ONE Championship is not done signing former UFC fighters only yet. The Singapore-based MMA promotion announced over the weekend it’s signed former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort into some brand 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’t refuse, and he will end his short lived retirement when he struggles for ONE later this year, likely in Brazil as the advertising looks to expand in South America.
ONE hasn’t announced who Belfort’s first opponent will be, but there are loads of alternatives for him. Most likely Belfort will be ticketed to a heavyweight fight since he will not need to reduce weight in that circumstance. ONE could easily give Belfort a name fight against their heavyweight champion Brandon Vera, but they might want to give him an easier battle against a journeyman such as James McSweeney. Roger Gracie is your promotion’s light heavyweight/cruiserweight champion, but he has not fought in two years. Maybe ONE could book that fight in Brazil. As well, Belfort said he’d be interested in boxing and kickboxing fights. I personally believe the 41-year-old Belfort should have stayed retired, but he’ll make some good cash beneath the 1 banner. Cro Cop Retires
Legendary heavyweight Mirko Cro Cop has retired, only weeks after a decision win over Roy Nelson in Bellator. Based on reports, Cro Cop suffered a stroke and must retire. Cro Cop (38-11-2, 1 NC) will retire at age 44 as one of the greatest heavyweights to ever compete at the game. He’ll retire on a 10-fight win series, one that saw him struggle and compete throughout the world for the best promotions in MMA. We at MMAOB want Cro Cop the top of luck .
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