both in and out of competition. Therefore, he was removed from the bout and Henderson was re-booked for another event at a later date. Machida was ultimately suspended for 18 months by USADA, becoming eligible to return on 8 October 2017. On 13 August 2016, Machida faced former Strikeforce middleweight champion and UFC welterweight contender, Jake Shields, in a grappling only benefit event called Submit Cancer. After gaining top control, Shields submitted the much larger Machida by inside heel hook with just 30 seconds left in the match. Post-suspension reign In his first fight after returning from his suspension, Machida faced Derek Brunson on 28 October 2017 at UFC Fight Night 119. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round. Machida faced Eryk Anders on 3 February 2018 at UFC Fight Night 125. He won the fight via split decision, snapping his 3-fight losing streak. Machida faced Vitor Belfort on 12 May 2018 at UFC 224. He won the fight via knock-out in the second round. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. Bellator MMA On 22 June 2018, it was reported that Machida signed a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. On 12 September, it was announced that Machida is set to make his promotional debut against former Bellator Middleweight Champion Rafael Carvalho in the co-headliner of Bellator 213. On weigh-in day, Carvalho missed weight, weighing in at 186.5 pounds, over the non-title Middleweight limit of 186.0 pounds. Carvalho was fined 20% of his purse and the fight proceeded as a Catchweight bout. Machida went on to defeat Carvalho by split decision. On 4 April 2019, it was announced that Machida would be facing Chael Sonnen in a light heavyweight bout at Bellator 222 on 14 June 2019 at Madison Square Garden. He won the fight via TKO in the second round. Machida rematched prior UFC opponent Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 228 on 28 September 2019. He lost the bout via split decision. Machida headlined Bellator 245 in a rematch against Phil Davis on September 11, 2020. He lost the fight by split decision. Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix On February 9, 2021, it was announced that Machida would be participating in the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix. He faced Ryan Bader in the quarterfinal round. This was a rematch of their August 2012 bout, which saw Machida win via second round knockout.