MMA Gumbo

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has confirmed that an agreement is in place for the rematch against Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida.

From an interview with TerraMagazine :

“I’m just going to start the preparation and let’s go there. The UFC has already confirmed with my manager that I will fight Lyoto again. It’s just missing to sign the contract but the verbal agreement is done. I still don’t think whether I will follow the same strategy rather than the formerly one. I’m going to sit down with the team to map it out. This rematch is much wished because it’s a title shot for the world championship. It’s my biggest interest. I’m sure worried to achieve my dream and the revenge comes on the second plan. I was choked for that loss against him, but Machida has no blame. The judges are the guilty who were the only three people in the world that understood he won the fight.”

The fight has been confirmed for May 1, 2010 for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rua will go into the rematch with an 18-4 record and having won 6 of his previous 8 fights with the two losses coming against Forrest Griffin and Machida.

Machida who currently sits #4 as the best pound for pound fighter, brings in an impressive 16-0 record and the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. While many fans question some of his opponent choices over the years, there’s no argument that as of late he has taken on and beaten quite a list of opponents from Ortiz to Rashad Evans to Rua.

While the bout is still several months away, it’s obvious the trash talking has already begun, which one hopes will only add to one is already a fight of the year candidate before the year even starts.

-Jason Sharp