Machida Trains with Belfort in Brazil

Lyoto Machida, who will challenge UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans on May 23 at UFC 98, had a visitor last Sunday at his academy in Belem, Brazil.

Vitor Belfort was in town and stopped in to train.

“I have some projects in Belem and good friends as well, like Lyoto,” Belfort said. “We decided to train together, and I tried to help him in any way. They were two days of intense training, and I hope it was useful for him.”

Machida praised the former UFC light heavyweight champion’s technique.

“His observations are impressive,” Machida said. “Almost imperceptible details that can decide the fight. It was great he came. I will try putting into practice all that he taught.”

Machida will enter the title fight 14-0. He has taken essentially no punishment in six UFC wins, though Evans is also undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the world by Sherdog.com.

Belfort is betting on his friend.

“I have no doubt that Lyoto will win the belt,” he said. “He is very well prepared.”

Belfort also revealed that he would be living in the United States at least part time.

“I decided with my family. We are going to live in the United States because I'm implementing some projects in Los Angeles, but I cannot disclose them,” said the 32-year-old Brazilian, who has won four straight and most recently knocked out Matt Lindland in a middleweight bout at Affliction’s second show. “But I will not leave Brazil. I will keep a base in Rio and another one in L.A.”

Belfort and Machida will meet again early next month for the last week of training before Machida travels to the U.S.