After his controversial unanimous decision victory at UFC 104, Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida (16-0) told Tatame.com that he had to have surgery to his left hand five days after the bout with Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua. The light-heavyweight champ is looking to return to start training for his rematch in the New Year.

<strong>What happened with your hand, was it after the fight with Shogun? Did you have to make a surgery, how’s the recovering?
Lyoto Machida: In eight days I’ll take the immobilizer off, but I’m training the aerobic, running to keep me prepared and to recover faster. I had surgery five days after the fight and they took little pieces of bone (from the hand), I expect to be hitting and training again in January. Physiotherapy starts in a week.

And the fight with Shogun, when is it going to be?
Lyoto Machida: It’s verbally agreed (too), but, for now, (there’s) nothing on the contract yet. But it was promised and this fight will happen.

Photo courtesy of UFC.com