This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Lyoto Machida Turns 36

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida turns 36 on May 30. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Lyoto Machida will celebrate his 36th birthday on May 30.

Machida has compiled a 13-4 record since arriving in the UFC in February 2009. He captured the 205-pound title with a second round knockout against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 2 winner Rashad Evans at UFC 98 a little more than two years later. Machida last appeared at UFC Fight Night “Machida vs. Mousasi in February, when he took a unanimous decision from onetime Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi at the Arena Jaragua in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Shotokan karate, he has delivered 10 of his 21 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.

“The Dragon” will seek to become the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s third two-division titleholder at UFC 175 in July, when he challenges the undefeated Chris Weidman for middleweight gold in the main event. Machida has beaten six former UFC champions: Evans, Randy Couture, Mauricio Rua, Tito Ortiz, B.J. Penn and Rich Franklin.

Those in MMA celebrating a birthday during the week covering May 25-May 31: