Jon Jones explains his hand injury; Rashad Evans talks fighting Phil Davis at UFC 133
Posted on April 25, 2011, 11:47 PM by Joey Santosus
News broke earlier today that a hand injury has forced UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon "Bones" Jones to withdraw from his first title defense against his former Jackson's MMA teammate Rashad Evans. Following the announcement, Jones released a statement through Authentic Sports Management, in which he details the extent of the injury, as well as his decision to pull out of the bout.
"This is an injury that’s been recurring since I was a college wrestler, it doesn't affect my punching or grappling, but I am taking the time and the proper measures to correct this now, so that it doesn't happen again,” said Jones. “I look forward to getting back to training and to my first title defense. As for Rashad, let’s see what happens with Phil Davis. I will be watching that fight with great interest."
Evans, meanwhile, has been inactive since earning a unanimous decision victory over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 114 last May. The win put him in line for a title shot, however, when then-champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua required knee surgery, Evans elected to wait nearly a year on his return. Just as that match began to materialize though, Evans suffered an injury of his own and was replaced by Jones, who defeated Rua to become division Champion. With the opportunity to challenge for the title once again just out of Evan's reach, "Suga" shared his thoughts on his replacement opponent, Phil Davis.
"I’m looking forward to fighting Phil Davis August 6th at UFC 133, he’s a strong wrestler and a rising star in the Light Heavyweight division. I wish Jon Jones a speedy recovery, he has something that belongs to me and when he’s ready, I’ll be waiting."
Davis steps in fresh off a decision win over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24. It was the former NCAA Division I national wrestling champ's fifth consecutive victory under the UFC banner, having previously beaten Brian Stann, Alexander Gustafsson, Rodney Wallace, and Tim Boetsch.
UFC 133 is set to take place August 6th from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there has been no official announcement, the Light Heavyweight clash between Evans and Davis will likely headline the stacked card, which will also feature Antonio Rogerio Nogueria vs. Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Photo: UFC fighter Jon Jones celebrates his victory over Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC-Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko at the San Diego Sports Arena on August 1, 2010, in San Diego, California. Francis Specker
Comments
Seems a little early in Davis' career to be fighting the No.1 contender , but i guess this will show how good he really is.
I doubt they'll give Davis a title shot if he wins, same with Hamill. If both win anyway, the UFC will still give Jones someone like a Forrest or Lyoto
You never know, I mean if Davis completely dominates Rashad, I could see him getting a title shot. Although i doubt Davis will do that.
Why did Jones pull out then if his injury doesnt affect his grappling or striking??
I was thinking the same thing, kinda fast for him he had
just made the top 10 but with all the other contenders fighting
each other the only other good contender was Davis and he will
be a hard match for Rashad but think Rashad speed, power,and
anger for getting back to the belt and feeling he was the god of the
gym and finding out he wasnt.....a whole nother thing of anger and
not sure Davis is ready but the Rashad-Jones Jones will win
I know this is about Jones but I still find it funny that Rashad isn't getting the title shot he waited 2 decades for haha. Maybe he can say "nah I don't want to fight Davis. I want to wait til Jones gets better." Haha that's what Rashad gets.
Other funny think is that Jones takes this time off right now, for what I read the injury has been there forever and now he wants it fixed, but you know what, it is probably frustrating Rashad really bad...
Ya he said his injury doesnt come in the way of his striking or grappling so I think he should have just fought Evans and then gotten it fixed....like Cruz needed to get his hands fixed ever since the Bowles fight but he still went ahead and fought Benavidez and Jorgesson before getting surgery
This is just another set up...I knew this would happened, lol. Both Rashad and Jones are pulling the strings on Dana...who's the puppet now Dana.. I love it!
Feel sorry for Phil Davis, I know for a fact that AKA wanted him to take at least 6 months off to improve his skills. But this was a while ago now and unfortunately the UFC have been throwing him fights consistently. Phil Davis in any normal climate is a fantastic prospect but with Jones around people will judge him by Jones's standard which is unfair. I don't agree with the match making for Davis considering Jones got fed average LHW first then a fellow prospect before facing a champ who been out for a long time to what Davis is fed is interesting to say the least.. As for the fight I'm not expecting an exciting match but it will be competitive, however the experience and striking of Evans should see him win this one.
I thought the same thing when I heard Davis was in as a replacement.. The guy was adamant about wanting to take some time away from the octagon... And not just to sit around, but to improve. He feels he isn't getting a fair chance to grow as a fighter. As far as the match itself, like you said, it might not be exciting, but it should be competitive. That is all I really ask for as a fan.
If it is competitive however, then it should at least be exciting to us hardcore fans.
Exactly Moots.... Thats basically what I mean. I guess the term exciting has somehow automatically become associated with a brawl style fight or stand-up affair. Which for some, like myself, is not necessary to be entertaining.
The LHW Belt has never been the same since the DaYs of Ortiz, Liddell, and Couture unfortunately. I remember when the LHW strap was the prized possession of the UFC
Ortiz title reign was a bit of a joke to be honest. There were several guys in Pride who could have wrecked him, and he spent 2 years refusing to fight his "friend" Chuck Lidell who also proved more than capable of wrecking him.
And look at him now. All he has is his wrestling, and there are plenty of guys who do even that better than him now. No wins in the last 5 years.
You are right, but the rivalries were better and more exciting, even if there is a deeper more talented division now. Tito - Liddell, Tito - Shamrock, Liddell - Couture. I remember them like they was on last night and all of them had me glued to the screen like a zombie.
i think rashad will have his hands full. he shouldnt over look davis
Yes, Rashad will have his hands full... of blood once he unloads a heavy hands combo and knocks Davis the **** out... there are HUGE holes in Davis standup and Rashad will exploit them to the fullest extent..
133 definitely one to watch online and save some money ;p
Evans/Davis has the potential to be the most boring fight of the year, if they proceed to dry hump each other for 3 rounds.
Keep making excuses, Jonny Bones. He's scared to lose that belt.
Keep making excuses, Jonny Bones. He's scared to lose that belt.
I seriously doubt "Bones" has that many worries about Evans. If you haven't noticed, the kid holds his own against wrestlers...... Elite strikers as well. He kills Rashad in every aspect. Davis on the other hand, I'm not so sure.