With title window closing, it's now or never for Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida is one of mixed martial arts' most respected figures, a former UFC light heavyweight champion who has always conducted himself with an understated dignity not usually associated with a bombastic sport.

He debuted in the UFC in 2007 and has competed in the Octagon 18 times, been in five title fights, and if his fight isn’t the evening’s main event, then he’s at least in the co-feature bout.

By the time he finally hangs ‘em up, Machida could very well end up in the UFC Hall of Fame.

C.B. Dollaway, meanwhile, has also had a lengthy run in the UFC. Since appearing on Season 7 of "The Ultimate Fighter," the former Arizona State wrestler has stepped into the Octagon on 14 occasions.

But while Machida’s career has been about bright lights and high stakes, Dollaway has been a grinder who has had to slowly work his way through the ranks. Saturday night marks the Tempe, Ariz., middleweight’s first UFC main event. The winner of four out of his past five matchups, Dollaway (15-5) takes his biggest step up in competition, when he meets Machida (21-5) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 58 in Barueri, Brazil.

Both fighters understand the stark contrasts in this fight. The 36-year-old Machida is at the point in his career in which up-and-coming opponents know they can make their name by defeating the former champ. Dollaway, while not exactly a newbie, has toiled for years waiting for an opportunity like this.

While Machida knows there’s a disparity in the two fighters’ name value, he says he had no problem taking the matchup.

“I know what his objective is, but I didn’t hesitate to accept the fight,” Machida told Yahoo Sports through an interpreter. “My main concern is to continue to fight. It doesn’t matter if they have a big name or what their motivation is, I am fighting because I wish to continue challenging myself.”

Dollaway, as one might suspect, needed little prompting for his biggest career fight.

“I was glad when the UFC called and offered this fight,” Dollaway said. “I accepted it right away. I’ve been working for years for this, through ups and downs and bumps and the roads and injuries and all that. You have to take a leap of faith along the way that somewhere, you’re going to be rewarded for your work, and this is exactly the type of opportunity I want.”

For his part, Machida is looking to shake off a tough loss. He challenged Chris Weidman for the middleweight title at UFC 175 in July. After dropping the first three rounds, Machida unleashed a ferocious assault in the fourth and sustained it into the fifth, putting the undefeated Weidman into the most trouble he’s ever been in his career. Weidman held on until the final horn, however, and retained his title due to the big lead he put up early in the fight.

While fans were left wondering what might have gone down if Machida had turned up the heat earlier in the bout, Machida refuses to ponder “what if.”

“There is no point looking back now,” Machida said. “I have a fight in front of me that I’m worried about. You win some fights and you lose some and what’s in the past is in the past.”

Dollaway, however, was a keen observer of the Weidman-Machida bout. Many of Machida’s biggest victories have come at the expense of wrestlers. Rashad Evans, Randy Couture, Ryan Bader, and Mark Munoz are among those who lost their patience with the meticulous Machida and rushed into a knockout.

Weidman, an NCAA All-American at Hofstra, never let Machida get into his comfort zone in the first half of the fight. Dollaway sees this as his path to victory.

“I respect Machida and what he’s accomplished in this sport as much as anyone,” Dollaway said. “But you can’t show him too much respect. He’s one of the most unique fighters in the sport, if you look at his background. He’s known for his karate, he’s done sumo, he’s got a little bit of everything. It’s not like you can find a sumo in Machida’s shape who can also strike, and bring him in as a training partner.

“So you go on what you’ve got,” Dollaway continued. “And what I saw with Weidman was a guy who respected Lyoto’s skills, but he pressured him enough to keep him honest without being reckless.”

Machida, who has fought professionally since 2003, understands he’s on the backstretch of his career, even granting that his elusive style has enabled him to endure less punishment than other fighters with his mileage. Since losing the light heavyweight title to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in 2010, Machida has gotten title shots in two weight classes and lost both.

The door might not be wide open, but it isn't slammed shut either. If Machida is going to make one more run at a championship, he has to start now. So Dollaway is merely step one in the final act.

“That’s always the objective, to win a championship,” Machida said. “I wanted to get right back into fighting as soon as possible [after the Weidman loss]. The name of the opponent, or where he stands, doesn’t matter. I just wanted to fight.”

Follow Dave Doyle on Twitter @DaveDoyleMMA