lyoto machida
Lyoto Machida was born in the city of Salvador but soon moved to Bel?m which is his hometown. [1]
Lyoto Machida getting ready to finish Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou on December 29, 2007 at UFC 79: Nemesis (photo courtesy of Sherdog). [2]
Machida formerly fought out of Black House with such fighters as UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva, former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort, and former PRIDE FC and former UFC Interim Heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. [1]
Son of a Japanese-Brazilian Shotokan Karate master Yoshizo Machida, Lyoto is considered by many to be a rising star in MMA, having secured victories over former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin, former UFC Welterweight champion and current UFC Lightweight champion BJ Penn and Light Heavyweight runner-up of the UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter 1, Stephan Bonnar. [3]
He made several appearances at other Inoki shows, including Jungle Fight 1 in Brazil, where he defeated eventual The Ultimate Fighter 1 runner-up Stephan Bonnar on September 13, 2003, and Inoki Bom-ba-ye 2003, where he defeated eventual UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin on New Year’s Eve. [...] Lyoto Carvalho Machida (born May 30, 1978) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial arts fighter. [...] Inoki entered Machida in several of his promotions, including New Japan Pro Wrestling ’s Ultimate Crush card on May 2, 2003, where he defeated journeyman Pancrase fighter Kengo Watanabe. [...] Wrestling legend Antonio Inoki noticed Machida early and took him under his wing, soon given the nickname “The Second Inoki” by the Japanese media. [1]
Thus, the youthful Lyoto Machida also began studying Sumo at age 12 and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 15. [2]
He uses a back kick in many fights (they can be seen in his bouts against Sam Greco, Sam Hoger, and Stephan Bonnar). [3]
Then again, this Shotokan Karate master continually shows that the things he learned way back when while studying the art form he attaches himself to most were not without worth. [2]
At 3-0, he began to fight in K-1 ’s early MMA efforts, with wins against two high-ranked K-1 kickboxers, Michael McDonald and Sam Greco. [1]
He achieved his first victory, a decision over Kengo Watanabe on May 2, 2003, in a New Japan Pro Wrestling event. [2]
His last match with the K-1 organization, at K-1 HERO’S 1, he defeated former UFC Welterweight champion and light weight champion B. J. Penn in a unanimous decision. [1]
He won a number of amateur karate tournaments, including 2001 Pan American Karate tournament. [3]
Sources:
[1] Lyoto Machida - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[2] Lyoto Machida Biography and Fighting Information
[3] Lyoto Machida - CageWiki