Will Lyoto Machida Be out Until 2012?

Despite being healthy and ready to fight, it looks like Lyoto Machida may be out of action for the rest of the year.

In a Tweet sent out on Sunday, "The Dragon" told fans that he likely wouldn't be fighting again until next year, but he never gave a reason why he was being sidelined for such an extended period of time.

Machida's only bout this year took place in April at UFC 129, where he knocked out UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture with a highlight-reel crane kick.

Since the win, there have been rumored bouts pitting the former light heavyweight champion against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Phil Davis.

The UFC ultimately decided to match Rua against Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Dan Henderson, and Machida was paired with Davis at UFC 140.

Unfortunately for Machida, the bout with Davis was deemed a no-go due to the rising 205-pound star needing more time to recover from a serious knee injury.

Considering Machida's stature in the light heavyweight division, it's interesting to think that he could be kept out of action for so long without even an attempt at finding a replacement opponent.

With Strikeforce crumbling, bouts against Gegard Mousasi, Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, Roger Gracie or possibly even fellow Black House student Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante all make sense for Machida.

Is it possible that Machida is overreacting, and the UFC is currently working to find him an opponent?

If this is the case, a decision should be made in the coming days. There aren't too many upper-echelon fighters out there willing a take a fight on short notice with someone like Machida.