UFC 136

Machida will fight Sonnen after 'bathrobe' jibes

ESPN staff

July 5, 2011 « UFC 133: Evans v Ortiz II - Official fight card | Murray very close to slam breakthrough - Djokovic »

Lyoto Machida is coming off a win over Randy Couture © Getty Images

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Lyoto Machida has revealed he is open to a light-heavyweight clash with Chael Sonnen later this year, and king-of-the-trash-talk Sonnen is already attempting to get a reaction from the Brazilian.

With many of the top contenders in the light-heavyweight division already signed to fights, a high-profile clash with Sonnen, just back from suspension, is mooted for UFC 136. That card is set to take place in Houston on October 8, and could feature the next featherweight title defence of Jose Aldo against Kenny Florian.

Sonnen has already previously stated that he could beat any of the 205lb contenders, recently mocking them for failing to call out Jon Jones, of whom Sonnen says they are scared.

His latest effort on Twitter has seen the American mock Machida's Karate background, saying: "Of course your sport should be taken seriously. Everybody would like to be able to work out in their bathrobe."

He went on to tweet: "Lyoto, don't feel bad that you don't have the belt. You still have that little cotton one my nephew has."

And there was also time to mock Machida's link to actor Steven Segal, who was credited with helping The Dragon devise the kick that knocked out Randy Couture. "I don't seek training advice from actors for the same reason I don't seek health advice from strippers," commented Sonnen.

Machida is yet to rise to Sonnen's bait, but he did admit there is the possibility of a war in the near future.

"All of the potential opponents are set to fight, and I think I'll just have to wait," Machida told Tatame. "Rampage Jackson will fight Jon Jones, [Rich] Franklin fights Minotoro [Nogueira], Phil Davis vs Rashad Evans, so I'll have to wait for the definition of these fights.

"I think [the Sonnen fight] is great, I'm excited to do that. He's coming back now, wants to fight, and I really think it's a good fight for me. If Sonnen really wants this fight, I'll sign it immediately, no problem at all."