Karate Combat has added another legend to its talent roster.
The combat sports promotion announced Thursday that current Bellator star and former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida will serve as a “Season Sensei” for Karate Combat: Season 3. Machida joins former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, who was added as a Sensei this past March.
According to the press release, Machida “will channel his expertise and years of experience into offering insights and analysis for viewers, as well as revealing some technique secrets in closed-door ‘Sensei seminar’ segments with Karate Combat contenders.”
Karate Combat is a competition featuring martial artists engaging in fights against computer-generated backdrops with modified karate rules that allow for throws and trips as well as limited ground-and-pound. Bouts can be won by decision or knockout.
Past episodes of Karate Combat are available to watch on the promotion’s YouTube channel.
See what Machida had to say about the announcement below:
Hear from The Dragon himself on what it means to join Season 3 pic.twitter.com/WuEp59BkCq
— Karate Combat (@KarateCombat) June 3, 2021
“It means a lot to me to be a third season Sensei because for me, all the experience, all the effort that I already put in my career so I can share with you guys,” Machida said, “guys that are interested to know more—not only about karate, but about entertainment, about martial arts karate, and about everything that I can share that’s gonna be a pleasure for me to be among these guys because it represents that another generation is coming and I want to share all the knowledge and be among these guys.”
“If Karate Combat existed when I was a teenager, I guarantee that I would be part of this group,” he added. “I feel kind of like I was invited to be here not only as a Sensei, but sometimes, who knows, as a competitor.”
Currently fighting for Bellator, Machida became a household name in MMA during his run in the UFC from 2007-2018 due to his unique karate-based style and his seeming invincibility. He began his career 16-0 and won his first eight UFC fights, which included winning and successfully defending the light heavyweight championship.
Machida, 42, has lost his past three fights, most recently suffering a one-sided decision loss to Ryan Bader in the opening round of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix.