Twitter reacts to Lyoto Machida’s TKO win, Chael Sonnen’s retirement at Bellator 222

Lyoto Machida stayed perfect in his Bellator career on Friday when he defeated Chael Sonnen in a potential title eliminator in the Bellator 222 co-headliner.

Machida (26-8 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) was successful in his return to the light heavyweight division when finished Sonnen (30-17-1 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) by second-round TKO in the matchup, which served as the co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Afterward, Sonnen retired from MMA.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Machida’s victory over Sonnen at Bellator 222.

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We've arrived at the #Bellator222 co-headliner and it sees former UFC champ @LyotoMachidafw return to light heavyweight for a clash with @ChaelSonnen. https://t.co/fYdlmAy1lr pic.twitter.com/ulUDUAB5gR

— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) June 15, 2019

#Bellator222 Closing Betting Odds: Lyoto Machida (-400) vs. Chael Sonnen (+300) 💵 Live now -> @DAZN_USA, @mauroranallo @JohnMcCarthyMMA @JayGlazer @BellatorMMA @MMAOddsBreaker

— Nick Kalikas (@FightOdds) June 15, 2019

Chael P. taking a page out of the @BazookaJoeV playbook by moving forward and pressuring the karate-based Machida.

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 15, 2019

The sounds of that flying knee Lyoto Machida just landed on Chael Sonnen. Holy hell. How did that not put him completely out cold? Insane. #Bellator222

— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) June 15, 2019

The Dragon is flying! What a knee

— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) June 15, 2019

Sonnen's midsection looks like hamburger.

— Dann Stupp (@DannStupp) June 15, 2019

Can’t help but think Chael said something in Machidas ear at the end of that round when they were clinched. Machida started smiling #Bellator

— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) June 15, 2019

Machida wins via second round TKO. Caught Chael with a knee as he was shooting early in the round.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 15, 2019

🐉🐲🐉 – #Bellator222

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 15, 2019

Rarely do you see a fighter knocked down by a flying knee TWICE in the same fight😳

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) June 15, 2019

I think that's it for Chael P.

Asked Big John to give him a minute on the mic and has his gloves off.

— E. Spencer Kyte (@spencerkyte) June 15, 2019

Could be chaels last fight let’s see

— Brian Kelleher (@brianboom135) June 15, 2019

Thank you @ChaelSonnen. #bellator222

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 15, 2019

"I'm walking out. I appreciate the memories. Goodbye." — Chael Sonnen

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) June 15, 2019

You’re the man @ChaelSonnen!!!! Happy retirement!

— Douglas Lima (@PhenomLima) June 15, 2019

For complete coverage of Bellator 222, check out the MMA Events section of the site.