UFC officials have recently confirmed that light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida will require surgery for a hand he injured in his recent hard-fought, highly controversial victory over top contender Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 104.

Machida joins the ever-expanding list of soiled UFC champions, which includes heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (flu), middleweight champion Anderson Silva (elbow surgery), and welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre (abductor injury). Only lightweight champion B.J. Penn has been able to stay healthy recently. He'll put his title on the line against Diego Sanchez at UFC 107 on Dec. 12.

UFC President Dana White called for an immediate rematch after Machida (16-0), to the dismay of UFC officials and many fans in attendance, was given a unanimous decision victory over Rua at UFC 104. The crowd booed loudly when the decision was read aloud and MMA fans and pundits ripped into the decision on blogs, internet forums and chat-rooms.

The two Brazilians engaged in a highly entertaining battle over the scheduled five rounds with Rua seeming to get the better of the champion at almost every turn. The judges, as they do at times, saw things differently however. White pushed hard for a Jan. 2 return engagement in order to quell fans' disapproval and capitalize on the popularity of the rematch. Rua agreed to the date, but Machida, who has been enthusiastic about facing Rua again, will now be shelved until February at the earliest.

The promotion is now said to be looking at Feb. 6, the date of their annual Superbowl show, as a possibility for the rematch.