Lyoto Machida returned to the middleweight division at Bellator 281 on Friday. There, he was welcomed by #4-ranked 185’er Fabian Edwards.
It was a rude homecoming for “The Dragon, a former UFC light heavyweight champ and middleweight title challenger. In the end, Machida wouldn’t make it out of the opening round, while Fabian Edwards snapped a two-fight skid.
Edwards attacked Machida’s lead leg early on Friday in the Bellator 281 co-main event, kicking both the inside and outside of the limb. Machida would answer back in kind; Edwards would mix things up, going to the body. When Machida did the same, Edwards caught the kick and backed Machida up to the fence. But it was Machida with a body lock getting the fight down, though Edwards was immediately back to his feet.
When they went back to the fence a moment later, Machida maintained his footing. But off the break, Edwards cracked Machida with an elbow! He was wobbled, ate another punch, and was put down with a left hand! Edwards piled on with a few more punches, and that was all she wrote!
𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂 💥@fabianedwards24 stops MMA veteran @lyotomachidafw at the @OVOArena.#Bellator281 LIVE on @SHOsports 🇺🇸 and @bbcthree 🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/H6Ha0DfgAH
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) May 13, 2022
With Gegard Mousasi quickly cleaning out the 185 pound weight class, that victory should instantly land Fabian Edwards back in the mix.
Official Result: Fabian Edwards def. Lyoto Machida by knockout, Round 1, 3:18
