Rashad Evans’ Return Pushed Back to 2013, Wants to Fight Lyoto Machida “Bad”

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans was hoping to fight again in 2012, but now it appears his return will have to wait until next year.

Evans was a guest on Tuesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight where he divulged that despite his best efforts to get a fight before the close of 2012, he’s more likely to return in “February or March” next year instead.

“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.

When Evans does return, he will be fighting at light heavyweight unless a tremendous offer comes across his plate at a different weight class. Evans has talked for some time about possibly moving down to 185 pounds for the chance to face middleweight king Anderson Silva, but the fight was never offered and he still has business to conduct at light heavyweight.

“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.

As far as potential opponents, Evans wants to face another top contender in the division, but in a perfect world he would love the chance to avenge the first loss of his career.

“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 Bader. I want to get that one back, bad,” said Evans.

Sometimes wishes do not get granted and unless something drastic changes, Machida is currently expected to face Dan Henderson in his next bout, although that fight has not been signed yet.

Evans will continue training and working at home in Florida, while he waits for the call from the UFC with his next fight offering.

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