UFC confirms Belfort-Machida showdown for UFC 224

Brazil will be treated to a homecoming of two of its most celebrated fighters on May 12, as the UFC confirmed Tuesday that Vitor Belfort will go toe to toe Lyoto Machida at UFC 224.

Both fighters reportedly agreed to the fight last Saturday, and it will mark the first time that the two men meet inside the Octagon.

Belfort last fought on June 3 when he defeated Nate Marquardt at UFC 212 by unanimous decision. The 40-year-old previously set a retirement fight with Uriah Hall for Jan. 14, but the bout was called off after Hall collapsed prior to weigh-ins.

Machida takes the fight on shorter notice, having just ended a three-fight losing streak by defeating Eryk Anders by split decision at UFC Fight Night 125 on Feb. 3.