A light heavyweight scrap between former UFC standouts Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen served as the co-headliner of tonight’s Bellator 222 event in New York.<\/p>\n
Chael Sonnen was last seen in action at Bellator 208 where he suffered a first round TKO loss to MMA<\/a> legend Fedor Emelianenko. Prior to the setback, Sonnen was coming off back-to-Back decision victories over former MMA<\/a> champions Quinton \u2018Rampage\u2019 Jackson and Wanderlei Silva.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Lyoto Machida entered Bellator 222 on a three fight winning streak, his latest being a split decision victory over former champ Rafael Carvalho at middleweight.<\/p>\n Lyoto Machida was able to dominate the first round of tonight\u2019s Bellator 222 co-main event. The Brazilian dropped Chael Sonnen with a flying knee late in the round. The always durable Sonnen was able to survive to see round two, though he may wished he hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Shortly after the bell sounded to begin round two, Lyoto Machida would once again land a flying knee, and this time put Chael Sonnen away with punches.<\/p>\n Following the loss, Sonnen proceeded to announce his retirement from the sport of mixed martial arts.<\/p>\n Check out how the pros reacted to Lyoto Machida\u2019s sensational knockout and Chael Sonnen\u2019s retirement below.<\/p>\n You\u2019re the man @ChaelSonnen<\/a>!!!! Happy retirement!<\/p>\n — Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) June 15, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n