Lyoto Machida

By FCF Staff

Lyoto Machida may be the consensus favourite heading into his UFC Fight Night 58 headliner with CB Dollaway, but the middleweight knows he has a lot riding on the fight.

The former light-heavyweight champ still has his eyes on winning the middleweight title, and since he failed to defeat champion Chris Weidman in July, he understands he needs a big win on Saturday night. While speaking to UFC.com recently, here is some of what Machida had to say about his short term goals:

“I have to have some convincing wins and hopefully I’ll get another opportunity to fight for the belt soon,” Machida said. “I’ve got to go out there and put on some good performances.”

Although Machida was defeated by Weidman not long ago, since their bout was so competitive and memorable, “The Dragon’s” path back to a title shot might not be too long. The noted striker poured it on later in the UFC 175 fight, but it was too little, too late. When asked what he should have done different, Machida stated:

“I would have started initiating my attacks earlier. I started initiating my attack in the third round, and the next time I would start my attack at the end of the first or second round.”

UFC FN 58 will take place in Barueri, Brazil, and the card will broadcast in the U.S. on FOX Sports 1.