Machida vs. Inoki: Machida Profile 1

You know, not many people out there can claim that they've been training in martial arts since they were three years old. Lyoto Machida is NOT one of those people.

Born in Brazil on May 30th, 1978, Lyoto Machida is the son of Yoshizo Machida, a high-ranking member of the Japan Karate Association. Yoshizo began training his son, Lyoto, in Shotokan Karate when he was only three years old. Shotokan is one of the five sacred forms of karate, and one of the few to successfully utilize elbows, knees, take-downs, and even a few submissions. Machida has said "It is a very traditional form. It differs from sports karate which we usually see in Karate schools and competitions as it has many elements which were lost in the style..."


In addition to training in Karate (he earned his black-belt at the age of 13), Machida began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a highly explosive submission-based style. He also began training in, believe it or not, Sumo wrestling. Does Lyoto Machida look like a traditional sumo wrestler? We don't think so...

Around the late 1990's and early 2000's, Machida began winning several amateur karate tournaments, as well as other martial arts tournaments, including the 2001 Pan American Karate tournament. He is also a two-time Brazilian champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He even once was victorious in a great fight against Chinzo Machida,m his own younger brother and fellow Shotokan Karate fighter. After compiling several wins and few losses, Machida decided to enter the world of MMA, being managed by none other than legendary wrestler and MMA pioneer... Antonio Inoki! That's right, fans, the man who guided a young Machida into the MMA world is none other than the man he will be facing this sunday on Athletes and Eras! Let's get excited!