The promotional debut of former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida took place at tonight’s Bellator 213 event in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Machida squared off with former Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho in the evenings co-main attraction.

“The Dragon” has not competed inside the cage since scoring a jaw dropping second-round knockout victory over Vitor Belfort at UFC 224 in May of 2018.

As for Rafael Carvalho, the “Blessed One” suffered a first-round TKO loss to current division champion Gegard Mousasi in his most recent appearance at Bellator 200. The loss snapped a fifteen-fight win streak for Carvalho.

Rafael Carvalho was able to get the better of Lyoto Machida in round one, connecting with multiple punches that left the former UFC light heavyweight champion bloodied and bruised.

https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1074166001263144962

In round two “The Dragon” would begin to settle in and find his range. With that said, Rafael Carvalho landed another knockdown in round two and likely took the round 10-9 on the judges scorecards.

Machida goin' high! #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/ulTucAt54g

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018

That 2nd round though! #Bellator213 pic.twitter.com/RQ8cuMShPT

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018

Carvalho would come out guns blazing in round three charging after Machida with a plethora of strikes. Lyoto would eventually take advantage of Rafael’s forward pressure by scoring a takedown. Once he got the fight to the canvas, Lyoto Machida proceeded to take full mount on Carvalho. “The Dragon” would close out the final round in dominant fashion and should take this fight 29-28.

https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1074167968974692353

uh oh…#Bellator213 #BellatorHawaii pic.twitter.com/2FlUXWgWlb

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018

Official Bellator 213 Result: Lyoto Machida def. Rafael Carvalho via split-decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)