Lyoto Machida Plans Early 2016 Return, Wants Michael Bisping

Lyoto Machida is smelling the roses.

After fighting twice in three months earlier this year, the current UFC middleweight and former light heavyweight champion is apparently taking an extended break from the MMA grind.

That's according to broadcaster Ariel Helwani, who passed along the news Wednesday night on the UFC Tonight cable TV program (h/t Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting).

But the Machida scoops weren't done yet. It seems Machida wants another high-profile middleweight, one Michael Bisping, in his return bout, which he is hoping to schedule for January or February 2016.

Bisping, who happens to serve as a UFC Tonight co-host, said after Helwani's announcement that he'd be open to the bout. 

"A matchup between me and him is certainly something I'd be interested in," Bisping said, per the MMA Fighting report. "I have a lot of respect for him." 

It would be a matchup between two accomplished but aging fighters who may be starting to ease their way into the sport's novelty circuit. 

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The 37-year-old Machida (22-7) lost both of his fights in 2015, the first by submission to Luke Rockhold in April and the second by brutal elbow knockout to Yoel Romero in June.

On the other hand, the 36-year-old Bisping (27-7) has won twice this year, both decisions over C.B. Dollaway and Thales Leites. That followed a 2014 that saw him finish 1-2. Bisping is currently scheduled to face Robert Whittaker in November.

Regardless of when he returns or whom he might face when he does, Machida appears to deserve some time away. In addition to the two losses—the first consecutive defeats of his career since 2010—Machida has dealt with a steady drumbeat of injuries. Most recently, Machida underwent nasal surgery after his loss to Romero. 

If Machida and Bisping were to lock horns, it could be an interesting stand-up battle, given Machida's background in high-level karate and Bisping's base as a kickboxer.