Former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida is all set to return to the Bellator cage at Madison Square Garden this weekend, but he admitted noticing that something was missing from the build-up. Machida (25-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) takes on fellow veteran Chael Sonnen (30-16-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) on Friday night in New York City, and says he’s been surprised at a lack of trash talk from his usually vocal opponent. Talking to MMA Junkie Radio ahead of the bout (go to the 1:42 mark in the video above) , “The Dragon” said there was a healthy respect between the pair, but admitted that he wouldn’t have minded if Sonnen had engaged in a little pre-fight smack talk to help sell the fight. “He’s very respectful of me, and I appreciate that,” he said. “But actually, I’d like him to promote the fight a little bit more, because he knows how to do that. I’m not worried about trash talk
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Lyoto Machida admits missing Chael Sonnen’s trash talk ahead of Bellator 222 clash – MMA Junkie