Rashad Evans Plans On February 2015 Return, Would Like To Fight Glover Teixeira

rashad evans

Winner of The Ultimate Fighter 3, and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is now a ten-year veteran of MMA. ‘Suga’ started his career back in April of 2004, and was undefeated until 2009 when he fought Lyoto Machida at UFC 98. The bout was Evans’ first defense of the 205-pound title since winning it from Forrest Griffin, and ‘Suga’ has gone 6-2 for the UFC since the KO loss against ‘The Dragon’.

Last seen steamrolling Chael Sonnen at UFC 167, Evans has been rumoured to return to fighting in the fall of this year. A leg injury forced ‘Suga’ from his UFC 170 date with Daniel Cormier just 10 days removed from the February event, and upon his return Evans will be riding a two-fight win streak.

Talking today on The MMA Hour, Evans discussed his eventual return:

I didn’t want to come back too soon, and end up getting injured more. I want to return in February (2015) because I know there is nothing but tough guys in my way. I’d like to fight Glover (Teixeira), but honestly, whoever I fight is going to be an interesting match. I’m ready for whatever. ”

The light-heavyweight division is certainly stacked with talent at present, and the champion Jon Jones will be putting in a title defense against Daniel Cormier at UFC 178. Regardless of that result, ‘Suga’ will likely have a host of hungry contenders to go up against. He continued on the subject of fighting team mate Anthony Johnson, after ‘Rumble’ knocked out ‘Lil Nog’ at UFC on FOX 13:

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We fight all the time, we fight every single day. Would I fight him professionally? No, we feed off eachother in so many different ways, so no, I can’t fight him. If ever that bridge needs to get crossed, then we can handle it differently than the way it was (with Jon Jones). Anthony is a lot more mature than Jon was at that point. There is a lot of things that shape a situation like that, but Anthony and myself are on the same page”

The subject of fighting team mates is frequently debated, and is very commonplace in the modern MMA game. Evans and Johnson are so close in the rankings, that their refusal to fight may cause matchmakers a bit of a head ache. That being said, the killers row of top 10 light-heavyweights should easily yield plenty of options.

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DC and I, we are great friends, but sometimes you do have to fight friends. One day, if our paths cross again then we may have to fight the cage. With Jones vs. Cormier, it is difficult. Jones came back dominant after the Gustafsson fight, and he fought really well against Glover Teixeira. On the other hand, you have DC, who is not like anyone he has fought before. He can take you down in lots of different ways. It’s a very interesting match up, DC is my brother, so it goes without saying that I support him, but it’s really hard to say.”

Cormier certainly has his hands full with one of the greatest light-heavyweight champions in UFC history, but DC brings an undefeated record and an unquenchable thirst for glory. What he lacks in height and reach, Cormier more than makes up for in strength and speed. His thrashing of Dan Henderson was truly a spectacle.

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Currently training with the Blackzilians, Evans will have been out for over a year if he returns in February next year, will the cage rust be a factor in his comeback fight? If not, then maybe we could see him make a legitimate run at the title he held back in 2009. Do you think ‘Suga’ will taste title glory again, or has the game passed him by?