Updated

After losing two consecutive fights, and three out of his last four, Lyoto Machida tells UFC Tonight that he is taking time off to rest his body and mind. The former world champion fought twice in a three month period, between June and April, losing by submission to Luke Rockhold and knockout to Yoel Romero.

Machida cited the fact that he's had surgeries after his last three fights as the reason he needs to rest, now. Ideally, Machida said that he would like to fight within the first two months of 2016.

"The Dragon" also has an opponent in mind -- Michael Bisping. Were that to happen, Bisping would have no time to rest since he is scheduled to fight Robert Whittaker, Nov. 15 in Australia.

Bisping has won his last two fights by decision. Machida said that he doesn't have any enmity against the British star, he simply likes the matchup for himself.