For a man who recently had four losses in five fights, and a sit of more than two years thanks to a USADA suspension, it might seem strange for Lyoto Machida to be talking about title shots.

But the Brazilian, who returns Saturday, has the confidence of a former champion. And despite the fact he’ll turn 40 later this month, he says he’s feeling as good as ever, physically.

“My focus is to add another win to my record, and to go up the rankings,” Machida recently told MMAjunkie. “I want to do four fights this year. Considering the breaks I plan to take, and how much time I’ll have, I think it would be a good number of bouts. My goal is to earn my way to another (title shot).”

To do that, Machida (23-8 MMA, 15-8 UFC) will have to get past fellow Brazilian legend Vitor Belfort (26-13 MMA, 15-10 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 224, which takes place at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The main card airs on pay-per-view following preliminary-card bouts on FX and UFC Fight Pass.

A win would give Machida two straight after his split-decision victory over Eryk Anders in a headliner in his home city of Belem in February. That got him back on track after a three-fight skid.

“It renewed me,” Machida said. “Winning again is wonderful. It creates a feeling of being alive again, of being able to fight up the rankings again. I feel like I can keep fighting. I’m fine physically, fit, and I still have a lot of fuel in the tank. I intend to continue to fight as long as I feel this way.”

Machida said he can’t plan on having any kind of home-cage advantage in Rio, despite being in Brazil, since Belfort will get his share of support, too. But he believes the fans are in for something of a treat when the two step into the cage.

Belfort recently was talking about retirement before a scheduled fight against Uriah Hall. That bout in January was yanked when Hall had to be hospitalized during his weight cut.

“I know that the fans will be split since there will be two Brazilians in the octagon, but I have the support of those who have always followed my path,” he said. “I want to see everyone’s energy on fight day. It will be a unique moment of the sport in Brazil, so I am very focused and excited for this fight.”

In fact, Machida thinks it could be an all-timer.

“Vitor has had an important role in the UFC,” Machida said. “He is part of the group of athletes that left their name engraved in the history of the sport, and that made Brazilians fall in love with MMA. When I came to Rio early in the career, he opened the doors of his home to me. I respect him a lot as a professional and as a person. Of course, this feeling will not change my desire to emerge victorious. As I said, I always try to leave everything that doesn’t belong in the octagon outside.

“Inside, we will be two professionals giving our best to put on a show for the fans, and to win. This fight will be a classic of the sport.”

For more on UFC 224, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.