@alphakings77: After one of his early 2003 fights in Japan Lyoto Machida was approached by wrestling legend Antonio Inoki and slapped three times across the face. The gesture came from Inoki’s old-school tradition - This gesture is a traditional Japanese sign of respect and a way to pass on fighting spirit and good fortune for a successful career. Fans and fighters treated an Inoki slap as a symbolic blessing or test of spirit rather than an insult. Machida later went on to become UFC light heavyweight champion in 2009, and he’s reflected on the moment as part of the rituals that marked his early rise. 📸 Follow (us) for more videos like this! 👊 #knockout #ko #fypシ #viral #fighter

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Monday 05 January 2026 03:19:00 GMT