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Chael Sonnen explains why Bellator 222 fight vs. Lyoto Machida is ‘personal’

Throughout his career, former UFC champion and Bellator middleweight Lyoto Machida carried himself in a respectful manner. “The Dragon” was never really involved in any beefs with other fighters, but his upcoming opponent Chael Sonnen has made things more personal.

Speaking with MMAFighting.com’s Danny Segura during Tuesday’s Bellator 222 media day, Sonnen says there is actually a history between him and Machida.

“I got a history with him. He’s always been a gentleman and a nice guy,” Sonnen said of Machida. “But this is competition. And people say it shouldn’t be personal – it is personal.