Watch UFC 133 Evans vs. Ortiz Fight
Rashad Evans defeated Rampage Jackson via unanimous decision, after three rounds of fighting. UFC President Dana White then officially confirmed that Rashad Evans would square off against Maurício Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight title, but not until mid-Spring or early-Summer of 2011 as Rua recovers from knee surgery. If Rua is ready to go, it is believed that Evans and Rua will fight in the main event of UFC 128 when the UFC returns to Newark, New Jersey. Following Rashad's training partner Jon Jones' victory over Ryan Bader at UFC 126, it was announced that Evans injured his knee during training. Jones was then told in his post-fight interview that the UFC wanted him to replace Evans in his fight against Mauricio Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Jones accepted and the fight was set for UFC 128. Evans will now face Jon Jones.
Evans fought Thiago Silva in the main event of UFC 108 on January 2, 2010. Dana White was quoted as saying that if Evans could defeat Thiago Silva at UFC 108, then he would go on to face Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. During the Spike TV broadcast of the UFC 108 preliminary card, Evans confirmed that he received his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Rolles Gracie that morning. Evans would go on to defeat Thiago Silva another BJJ black belt by unanimous decision. Deviating from his usual standing and striking, Evans displayed his grappling skills with numerous take downs that frustrated Silva throughout the match, but Evans failed to damage Silva substantially while on the ground. In the third round, after severely mocking his opponent's fighting style with various taunts, Silva connected with a right hook to Evans' jaw, rocking him. Silva hesitated in finishing Evans off in order to return the taunting, however, and Evans was able to recover leading to a UD win.
Evans was expected to finally face rival Quinton Jackson at UFC 113, but the bout took place on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114.
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