dbreiden83080
08-09-2011, 01:44 PM
Rashad Evans relishing chance at Jon Jones
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rashad-evans-relishing-chance-at-jon-jones/story-e6frfglf-1226111693067
AFTER a 14-month hiatus from the UFC, a new and improved Rashad Evans will finally get his shot at light heavyweight champion Jon `Bones' Jones.
That is, of course, if Jones can beat Quinton `Rampage' Jackson at UFC 135 in his first title defence in Denver later this year.
But regardless of that outcome, Evans sealed his shot at the title when he avenged his only ever draw with a TKO win over former champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Sunday.
The 31-year-old came out strong against Ortiz, 36, showcasing tight stand up skills and an overall better game in the octagon.
What we know now is that ring rust is what you make of it - or at least it doesn't affect Evans.
He controlled the fight with ease and never really looked in danger. At one point Tito took control on the ground and looked for a submission, but with the help of a new jiu-jitsu coach in his training camp, Evans easily evaded the choke attempt.
Evans wrapped up the fight in round two with Oritz curled up against the cage defenceless. And it was a win everyone wanted to see.
Ask any UFC fan and they will tell you they wanted Evans to win that fight. Not because they're bias or because they dislike Ortiz, but because everyone is counting down until Evans takes on Jones.
Bad blood has been boiling between the two ever since Jones won the title off Mauricio `Shogun' Rua.
Evans was originally slated to face Rua at UFC 128 but pulled out six weeks prior with a knee injury. Jones stepped in and dominated Rua - a former PRIDE champion.
According to Evans, the former friends and teammates at Jackson's Submission Fighting and MMA, had an agreement they would never fight each other.
However, after winning the title, Evans claims Jones said he would happily fight his friend and that he had beaten Evans up plenty of times at training.
So after plenty of back and forth word fighting, a fight between the two was set.
But then Jones pulled out with a thumb injury citing he needed surgery. Evans decided not to wait and fight on after his long break.
In the meantime, and after it was too late for Evans to change, Jones revealed he didn't need surgery and would be fit to go in September and the fight was given to Rampage.
Ever since Evans has claimed Jones ducked him for the fight.
So the hypothetical question now is, can Evans beat Jones?
Well, in terms of stand up, Rashad has quicker hands but that won't make up for his serious reach disadvantage.
Evan's is also lacking in combinations, whereas, Jones can call on a huge arsenal of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. And this all compliments his unorthodox fighting style.
In terms of wrestling, the edge would have to go to Evans. He has more experience and his earlier fights in the UFC were won mostly because of his wrestling.
If the two lock in the clinch, it will be difficult for Evans to get an easy takedown. Trouble is, in the process, he may end up on the mat himself.
And If the fight makes it that far, we know Rashad has good submission defence. But we're yet to see Jones on the ground, well, on the bottom anyway. But if he does end up looking up at the ceiling, how will he react under the pressure of Evans' ground n' pound.
And the last thing to consider is the pair's cardio. Jones can go and go, but Evans has had issues in the past. He will have to train hard just in case the fight goes the full five rounds (25 minutes).
But for now, we just have to wait and see what happens at UFC 135.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rashad-evans-relishing-chance-at-jon-jones/story-e6frfglf-1226111693067
AFTER a 14-month hiatus from the UFC, a new and improved Rashad Evans will finally get his shot at light heavyweight champion Jon `Bones' Jones.
That is, of course, if Jones can beat Quinton `Rampage' Jackson at UFC 135 in his first title defence in Denver later this year.
But regardless of that outcome, Evans sealed his shot at the title when he avenged his only ever draw with a TKO win over former champion Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 on Sunday.
The 31-year-old came out strong against Ortiz, 36, showcasing tight stand up skills and an overall better game in the octagon.
What we know now is that ring rust is what you make of it - or at least it doesn't affect Evans.
He controlled the fight with ease and never really looked in danger. At one point Tito took control on the ground and looked for a submission, but with the help of a new jiu-jitsu coach in his training camp, Evans easily evaded the choke attempt.
Evans wrapped up the fight in round two with Oritz curled up against the cage defenceless. And it was a win everyone wanted to see.
Ask any UFC fan and they will tell you they wanted Evans to win that fight. Not because they're bias or because they dislike Ortiz, but because everyone is counting down until Evans takes on Jones.
Bad blood has been boiling between the two ever since Jones won the title off Mauricio `Shogun' Rua.
Evans was originally slated to face Rua at UFC 128 but pulled out six weeks prior with a knee injury. Jones stepped in and dominated Rua - a former PRIDE champion.
According to Evans, the former friends and teammates at Jackson's Submission Fighting and MMA, had an agreement they would never fight each other.
However, after winning the title, Evans claims Jones said he would happily fight his friend and that he had beaten Evans up plenty of times at training.
So after plenty of back and forth word fighting, a fight between the two was set.
But then Jones pulled out with a thumb injury citing he needed surgery. Evans decided not to wait and fight on after his long break.
In the meantime, and after it was too late for Evans to change, Jones revealed he didn't need surgery and would be fit to go in September and the fight was given to Rampage.
Ever since Evans has claimed Jones ducked him for the fight.
So the hypothetical question now is, can Evans beat Jones?
Well, in terms of stand up, Rashad has quicker hands but that won't make up for his serious reach disadvantage.
Evan's is also lacking in combinations, whereas, Jones can call on a huge arsenal of punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. And this all compliments his unorthodox fighting style.
In terms of wrestling, the edge would have to go to Evans. He has more experience and his earlier fights in the UFC were won mostly because of his wrestling.
If the two lock in the clinch, it will be difficult for Evans to get an easy takedown. Trouble is, in the process, he may end up on the mat himself.
And If the fight makes it that far, we know Rashad has good submission defence. But we're yet to see Jones on the ground, well, on the bottom anyway. But if he does end up looking up at the ceiling, how will he react under the pressure of Evans' ground n' pound.
And the last thing to consider is the pair's cardio. Jones can go and go, but Evans has had issues in the past. He will have to train hard just in case the fight goes the full five rounds (25 minutes).
But for now, we just have to wait and see what happens at UFC 135.