Lyoto Machida

'The Dragon' used unorthodox karate footwork to become one of the most defensively gifted strikers in UFC history.

Lyoto Carvalho Machida was born on 30 May 1978 in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, the third son of Yoshizo Machida, a Japanese immigrant and Shotokan karate instructor who trained Lyoto from childhood, alongside further tutelage from Antonio Inoki and jiu-jitsu coach Wallid Ismail. Machida, nicknamed "The Dragon," turned professional in 2003 and developed into one of the most innovative strikers in UFC history, pioneering a karate-based, elusive fighting style built around distance management and precise counter-striking that frustrated more conventional opponents. Machida won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2009, defeating Rashad Evans by knockout to become the first fighter of Japanese descent to win a UFC title, and successfully defended the belt before a rematch loss to Shogun Rua the following year. Machida moved down to middleweight in 2013, challenging for the title there as well, and continued competing at the highest level for over two decades, later fighting in Bellator MMA. He holds a third-degree black belt in Shotokan karate under his father and remains one of the most respected and stylistically distinctive strikers in the sport's history.

Machida employed a unique karate-based fighting style emphasizing distance management, timing, and precise counter-striking. His elusive footwork and ability to dart in and out of range made him extremely difficult to hit cleanly. He was known for his powerful straight left hand, front kicks, and excellent takedown defense rooted in his traditional karate training.

Machida revolutionized MMA striking by successfully adapting traditional karate techniques to mixed martial arts at the highest level. His unique style influenced a generation of fighters to incorporate more diverse striking backgrounds into their training.

• UFC Light Heavyweight Champion 2009