Lyoto Machida calls out GLORY middleweight champion Artem Levin, who accepts one-off fight 'if UFC allows it'

There would probably be too much red tape in the way of it actually happening, since one fighter is in the biggest MMA promotion on the planet, while the other is in the biggest of kickboxing, but "The Dragon" and "The Lion" both said they would be interested in fighting one another.

Over the weekend, while Artem Levin was putting on his masterful three-fight performance at GLORY: "Last Man Standing" (results here), UFC middleweight Lyoto Machida was in attendance and was impressed at Levin defeating Alex Pereria, Filip Verlinden and Joe Schilling in one night to become GLORY middleweight champion.

Machida told BloodyElbow.com, "I'd love to fight that guy. If I could do a one-fight deal to fight with him, I definitely would. I like his style."

It would indeed be an interesting chess match between the two, as they are both tough-to-hit counter strikers that possess unique and difficult styles to prepare for and yet, are very different from one another.

The GLORY middleweight champion caught wind of Machida's interest and took to Twitter to say the feeling was mutual.

If he wants to fight me, I have no problem with that and I'm ready as long as UFC allows it @lyotomachidafw @GLORY_WS @ufc @danawhite

— Artem Levin (@ArtemLIONLevin) June 24, 2014

First things first though, Machida is fighting for the UFC middleweight title in two weeks against Chris Weidman at UFC 175 on July 5th (Levin wished him good luck). Also, in an article on GLORYworldseries.com, Levin said if the people are interested in a rubber match between him and Joe Schilling, he would do that. If that were to happen, the Russian middleweight said "he would like to invite him (Schilling) to Russia."

The odds of it happening are very slim, but man, it would be fun to see how Levin vs. Machida would unfold.

Let's hear it Maniacs: Lion vs. Dragon ... who ya' got?