Bellator MMA is welcoming another longtime UFC contender into its fold.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida has verbally agreed to an exclusive deal with Bellator, sources confirmed with MMA Fighting on Friday following an initial report by ESPN. The deal has yet to be formally signed.
Machida (24-8) exits the UFC following an 11-year, 24-fight run with the promotion. “The Dragon” holds a perfect 2-0 record thus far in 2018, having picked up a split decision victory over up-and-coming middleweight Eryk Anders then knocked out fellow Brazilian legend Vitor Belfort in highlight-reel fashion with a second-round front kick at UFC 224.