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UFC 113: Machida v Rua 2 confirmed

Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua will do battle again © Getty Images

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The UFC have confirmed that Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will reunite old rivalries in a UFC light-heavyweight championship rematch at UFC 113.

Current champion Lyoto Machida has built an undefeated 16-0 MMA record thanks to his unorthodox striking style, but many critics and fans alike believe that record should read 15-1 after his first battle with Mauricio Rua. The Brazilian duo fought to a split decision back in October and, despite two lacklustre final rounds, Machida did enough to earn the judges' nod.

Now the howls of disapproval that greeted that decision at UFC 104 will be gratified by a rematch on May 8, and UFC president Dana White acknowledges the need to resolve the issue of who reigns in the 205lb division.

"The first fight between Machida and Shogun was very controversial, I think fans are very excited to see them fight again and find out who the best light heavyweight in the world is," said White.

The onus may well be on Machida to impress at the Bell Center after Shogun's Muay Thai style caused the champion plenty of problems in their first fight. Machida was left with visible red marks around his thighs and chest from Shogun's attacks, although it was Machida who arguably landed the more telling punches.

Also on the card is a middleweight battle between Patrick Cote and Alan Belcher, who enter the fight in very different circumstances. Cote has not fought since his knee popped during his UFC middleweight title shot at Anderson Silva, while Belcher is coming off a hugely impressive knockout of Wilson Gouveia.

Elsewhere there is a potential Fight of the Night between Sam Stout and Jeremy Stephens, as well as welterweight match-ups involving Marcus Davis v Jonathan Goulet and TJ Grant v Johny Hendricks.

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