Rashad Evans gunning for Lyoto Machida rematch in 2013 return

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans, who came up short in his bid to dethrone Jon Jones from the 205-pound throne at UFC 145 earlier this year in Atlanta, is expected to remain on the sidelines until 2013.

But he already has an opponent in mind for his eventual return.

"Suga" is gunning for a rematch against Brazilian karate master Lyoto Machida. "The Dragon" not only claimed the division title against the former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) champ, he did it with a blistering first round knockout that ushered in the short-lived "Machida Era."

Evans (via MMA Weekly) wants that one back:

"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? I want to be at light heavyweight because there is unfinished business. 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."

Despite faltering against "Bones," Evans is still widely-regarded as one of the top five light heavyweights in all of mixed martial arts (MMA), with a 17-2 record and championship credentials. Prior to the Jones fight, he stifled Phil Davis in a five round unanimous decision win back in January.

Anyone think a Machida rematch ends any differently the second time out?