by Ian James, BetUS.com – bet now!

What we have all been waiting for since the VERY questionable decision at UFC 104, (that saw Lyoto Machida barely escape with a decision victory over Mauricio Rua), is scheduled. The rematch between The Dragon and Shogun for the UFC Light-Heavyweight belt is set for May 1st from Montreal, Canada.

The rematch will be one of the bigger fights of the year as the backlash from the first fight was far reaching. But to everyone’s credit, the rematch was agreed upon and scheduled in very short period of time and fight fans now have something to look forward to for the spring of 2010.

And something to look forward to is exactly what fight fans need, considering the Lesnar situation and Rampage leaving the UFC to pursue his acting career. There is also the GSP injury that has kept him out of the octagon lately as well as Anderson Silva’s elbow injury that has kept his on the sidelines. 

Machida/Rua I was a very competitive fight that, to most people watching, appeared to be won my Shogun. As we all know, the judges saw it differently and gave the fight to the champ. But Dana White is a straight shooter and he, like all of us, thought that Rua won the fight and was quick to make that point clear.

Machida himself was very humble in his post fight victory speech and agreed upon a rematch instantly, a true show of character from a man that seems to exude class.

The wait will allow for the UFC’s light heavyweight division picture to become a little more clear. With Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz renewing pleasantries this Saturday night at UFC 106, Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva scheduled for January 2nd at UFC 108 and Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman rumored to be the headliner for UFC 109, there will be a slew of talented challengers waiting for their shot at the belt, who ever is holding it after Machida/Rua II.