Fresh off his triumph at Bellator 206, middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has called for a rematch against one of Bellator MMA’s newest acquisitions in Lyoto Machida.
Machida signed with Bellator in June after a highly successful eleven-year career under the banner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he captured the light heavyweight title in 2009. Machida and Mousasi met in 2014 at UFC Fight Night 36, with the Brazilian winning via unanimous decision.
“The Dragon” told Fox Sports Brasil he’d be open for a rematch fight with Mousasi but is focusing now on his fight with Rafael Carvalho at Bellator 211 on Dec. 15.
“Let’s make the second fight happen, then,” Machida said. “Mousasi has that loss stuck in his throat. In interview he says he’s upset, that he wants to fight me. It’ll be a pleasure, because my goal is the Bellator belt. I’m not here to play around, to have small fights. I’m here to be the champion. I have a very serious appointment in December, but yes I will think about the future. Rafael Carvalho deserves a lot of respect and seriousness in my camp. After that, you’re next, Mousasi. You better be strong or I’ll run over you.”
Machida wasn’t complimentary about Mousasi’s fighting style, saying the Dutchman hasn’t evolved from their previous encounter four years ago.
“He’s very sour about it, but he’s the one who lost,” Machida said. “We fought for five rounds, he started swinging, the fight was almost over and then time was up. I won the technical game. He wants a rematch, he wants to make sure, so we’ll go all out. I saw nothing unusual in Mousasi, he looks the same. He walks forwards, leans on his heels a lot. When he’s my problem, I’ll deal with him.”