Rashad Evans Plans Return in 2013, Wants Lyoto Machida Bad

Rashad Evans hasn't fought since dropping a five-round decision to former training partner and UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 145. Evans is no stranger to sitting on the sidelines for an extended period of time but explained on UFC Tonight, that he was looking to get back into the Octagon sooner rather than later.

“I was hoping in December, by the end of the year, but it looks like it’s not going to happen until maybe February or March. Who am I going to fight is the main question?” said Evans on Tuesday (MMA Weekly).

Evans opponent will likely be someone in the light heavyweight division as the former UFC champ doesn't plan on moving to 185 pounds—unless something special comes along.

“I want to be at light heavyweight because there is unfinished business. I can’t go down unless something really beckons for my calling. I like to fight at 205 and I have done fairly well there,” Evans stated (MMA Weekly).

Evans, like a lot of the top guys at 205 pounds, have all lost to the champion inside the Octagon. "Suga" figures to be among the top contenders when he returns in an attempt to rematch the champion; he has one guy in particular he'd like to fight.

“The guy who I really want to fight is a guy I lost my first fight to. I would like to fight Lyoto Machida again. He looked good against [Ryan] Bader. I want to get that one back, bad,” said Evans (MMA Weekly).

Machida handed Evans his first loss in MMA back at UFC 98 in 2009. The loss also cost Evans his UFC title, something the "Blackzillians" fighter has been on a quest to regain ever since.

Currently Machida is expected to fight Dan Henderson although nothing is official on that front.