Yoel Romero's life in competition has been a decorated one.
The Cuba native garnered heavy acclaim during his years spent on wrestling mats around the globe and built a respectable resume that includes the World Wrestling Championship in 1999 and the silver medal at the Summer Olympics in Sydney one year later.
Romero would continue to rack up accomplishments in the five years after his showing in Sydney, but in 2009, he made the official transition to the world of professional mixed martial arts.
And the Soldier of God's success has continued.
The American Top Team product has solidified himself as a force in the ranks of the UFC's middleweight division, as he's found victory in all five of his showings since coming over from the now-defunct Strikeforce organization in 2013.
His consistent success has put the 38-year-old powerhouse within striking distance of a potential shot at the 185-pound crown, but Romero isn't willing to look down the road any further than the challenge standing in his immediate path.
He's set to face former light heavyweight champion and recent middleweight title challenger Lyoto Machida in the main event at Saturday's Fight Night 70 in Hollywood, Florida, in what is figured to be the biggest challenge of his career inside the cage.
The Dragon has held his status as one of the elite strikers in MMA for the better part of the past decade and brings a unique style that has proven difficult for his opposition to deal with.
"I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to fight Machida," Romero told Bleacher Report with the assistance of a translator. "I am very excited to figure out his unique style, and it's a challenge I have prepared for. I am also grateful to be fighting in the main event and that it is in Florida. Not having to travel is nice."
The talented Brazilian also carries notable clout in the name recognition department, which would serve to bolster Romero's case for title contention.
Nevertheless, Romero's focus is locked on solving the puzzle Machida will present on Saturday night, and he'll let the details of what comes after fall where they may.
"Getting a title shot is not up for me to decide," he added. "I will leave that in the hands of God."
The winner of Romero versus Machida will remain a major player in the middleweight title race, but there are additional obstacles that remain on the radar.
UFC President Dana White has deemed Luke Rockhold as the next challenger to Chris Weidman's middleweight title, although no official date has been set for the tilt. Meanwhile, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza is also jockeying for a championship opportunity of his own.
Romero and the former Strikeforce middleweight champion were slated to square off at UFC 184, but the Brazilian grappling ace was forced to withdraw due to illness. The bout was then rescheduled for UFC on Fox 15 in April, but an injured knee suffered by Romero would lead to his removal from the fight.
The Alligator would go on to submit Chris Camozzi in quick fashion to pick up his fifth consecutive victory under the UFC banner.
With the middleweight title currently on hold until Weidman and Rockhold settle their business, it's quite possible Souza could face the winner of Saturday night's main event later in 2015.
Yet before any of those matters materialize, Romero needs to find victory over Machida at Fight Night 70.
He's built the momentum that has carried him to the upper tier of his weight class largely upon his power-based attack and the ability to impose his will inside the cage. That's precisely what he'll be looking to do on Saturday night when he finds himself across from one of the most elusive strikers to ever compete in the sport.
Should Romero have the answers to the stylistic riddles Machida will throw his way, the volume of the buzz surrounding him will go up substantially.
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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