Lyoto Machida confident his striking will trump Chris Weidman's wrestling at UFC 173

Styles make fights (duh).

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida has found new life as a title contender, thanks to his drop down to the middleweight division in late 2013. As luck would have it, "The Dragon" gets to take over for Vitor Belfort (because of this) as one half of the UFC 173 main event, which takes place on May 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The other half is Chris Weidman.

The "All American" won the 185-pound strap by defeating -- and then retaining against -- Anderson Silva in consecutive fights. While he clearly has knockout power, the former collegiate wrestling standout also possesses a stifling ground game.

Which Machida tells MMA Fighting, ain't no thang:

"Ed (Soares) called me and said ‘I think they had a problem with Vitor and you'll have to fight for the title.' I said sure, that's great. I've fought a lot of wrestlers before, and I know Weidman has a good wrestling, but I'm confident on the work I'm developing with my team. I believe in my striking game against Weidman's wrestling. He's complete in every aspect of the game, but I'm confident in what I do."

Why shouldn't he be?

Machida (21-4) annihilated Mark Munoz -- one of the best wrestlers in the middleweight division -- by way of thunderous head kick knockout at UFC Fight Night 30. The Brazilian followed that up by outstriking Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night 36 just last month.

Now it's on to "Sin City" for a crack at the crown.

Predictions?