Lyoto Machida credits Steven Seagal and new strength and conditioning program for impressive knockout win

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida has been giving his thoughts on what made the difference this past Saturday night when he took to the octagon to take on the legendary Randy Couture, explaining the influence of Steven Seagal and a new strength and conditioning coach gave him the advantage on the night.

Speaking at the post-fight press conference, Machida said:
“I train this kick a lot. I’ve had it in my arsenal, and I just had to wait for the right moment to pull the trigger and utilize it. The technique itself [Silva and I have] both known for a long time. But I definitely think Steven Seagal being involved and influencing us and helping us perfect the kick definitely made a difference. [Seagal] always reinforced that to me – to try that kick. ‘That kick will land, and it will work.’ I definitely give credit to him for helping me perfect that kick.”

“The training was pretty much the same, but we did hire some different people to add on to our team. We brought in a nutritionist, a different coach to help out in different areas. The training was pretty much the same, but I did adapt and make some changes to it. The main changes were to my strength and conditioning. I made a lot of changes there and also to my karate. I went back and trained a lot of karate that brought me to where I am today.”

“I came to win the fight, and that was what my goal was. My main objective was to come in and put on a good performance and win.”

Machida will no doubt take a couple of weeks to recover before returning to training for his next fight inside the octagon. The big question will be who does the former champion fight at this stage of his career after returning to winning ways following back-to-back losses.