Ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida has a chance to become just the third fighter in company history to win a title in two different weight classes when he squares off with Chris Weidman for the middleweight strap at UFC 173.

Machida, who reinvented himself at 185 pounds after losing a debatable decision to Phil Davis at UFC 163 in August, fills in for Vitor Belfort after he withdrew from the bout following the Nevada State Athletic Commission banning testosterone replacement therapy.

Speaking to Brazilian media outlet Combate on Friday, “The Dragon” expressed his surprise in being asked to compete in the May 24 title fight.

“In fact, the news that I was going to fight for the belt was surprising. To know this so suddenly was shocking,” Machida said.

Machida scored a highlight-reel worthy knockout over friend/occasional training partner Mark Munoz at UFC Fight Night 30 in October, more recently scoring a unanimous decision win over former Strikeforce champ Gegard Mousasi earlier this month.

Also worth noting is that Machida actually disagrees with the NSAC’s decision to ban TRT.

“I'm an athlete, so it is hard to talk. Each case is different. Not everybody can have this benefit, but if it is proved that there is a natural deficiency in his body, I don't think you can forbid a guy of fighting,” he added.

Machida, who had a failed title bid at 205 pounds when he was choked out by Jon Jones at UFC 140 in December 2011, faces a surging Weidman – who is yet to taste defeat inside the cage (11-0).

Weidman defeated longtime champ and friend of Machida, Anderson Silva, twice in 2013 and was voted “Fighter of the Year” by the World MMA Awards.