In addition to many MMA legends coming out of retirement to join the latest GFL promotion, team manager Lyoto Machida opens up about a potential return.
The MMA fighter had his last bout in 2022 when he battled Fabian Edwards and suffered another loss following a three-fight losing streak. Since his loss, Lyoto has been a free agent but was recently hired by GFL as a team manager. The promotion is set to kick off in April and has a lineup of MMA stars like Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Frank Mir, Paige VanZant, and many more.
“They invited me as an athlete, but I said, ‘No, I’m away for some time, and I’d rather come in as a manager,’” Machida told MMA Fighting. “I want to see how it goes, the changes on the organization. I saw the signings, a lot of people getting signed, but we want to see it happening. I believe it’s going to be a great league, and it will help the sport. You can’t just have one [organization], right?
“Competition is good, and that’s what we hope for as fighters and coaches. It opens more doors. For example, ‘Dede’ [Pederneiras] has several athletes who aren’t in the UFC, but have the skills to be there, so maybe another door opens. But it’s all very new to me, just like it is for you.”
“I came in as a manager, but I’m not taking away the possibility of fighting,” Machida said. “I’m not saying I won’t fight again. It’s not like that. But it’s not a priority for me. It’s a new promotion, I want to see it happen, so I wanted to come in as a manager first to see how it works. I’ve never been on this side before.”
Lyoto admits he was initially called on to join as a fighter but says being in the cage is no longer his priority and would much rather focus on his coaching abilities. The GFL contacted the 46-year-old with an offer to coach the Sao Paulo alongside Andre Pederneiras.
“The door as an athlete [is open, but] it’s not a priority for me,” Machida said. “I want to see this organization first and be part of it on this side. I train every single day. I’m not training like if I had a fight. Of course, but I’m doing what I always did, training jiu-jitsu, striking, everything. If an opportunity came, it’s like I’m staying at 60 percent, so I would push the pace and prepare for a fight.”
Although the fighter has not made any particular plans to enter the cage yet, he says fans shouldn’t rule it out.
“What would make me fight again is maybe a challenge, something that made sense for me,” Machida said. “Someone from the same generation? OK, it could happen, but it can’t just be anything or any fight. You have to know your place and moment. This is not the time to fight a 25-, 30-year-old. Not that. It’s the moment to do the right fight, if it has to happen. But right now, it’s not a priority.”
