Chuck Liddell's Mystery Opponent Revealed?
(Hey pretty-pretty. You need a ride? Hop in, take off your underwear.)
Dana White recently revealed that Chuck Liddell would return to the Octagon in Atlanta this September, but he didn't say who he'd be facing. Now ESPN the Magazine is saying it will be....Rashad Evans. So, yeah, basically we're back to where we were before UFC 85.
ESPN says the fight has been "agreed to in principle", though not signed. The article itself largely focuses on "Sugar" Rashad and his lack of popularity among MMA fans. Trouble is, it attributes the lack of enthusiasm for Evans to -- get this -- "showboating."
Evans points to one moment that may have held him back. During his first fight on The Ultimate Fighter, he bobbed and weaved his head excessively. After beating Tom Murphy in the bout, opposing coach Matt Hughes lambasted Evans for showboating. Much later, the two kissed and made up. (Evans now admits he was over-the-top with his posturing.) But Hughes' comments have stuck, and fans continue to be lukewarm. "It hurts a little bit that people still don't really root for me," Evans says. "Everybody seems to think I'm a showboat, and I'll probably always have to fight that perception."
Evans saying that people don't like him because he's a showboat is kind of like Clay Aiken saying people hate him because they're afraid he might sleep with their girlfriends. It's the right sentiment, but it's being chalked up to the exact wrong cause.
The strangest thing is to imagine that Evans really believes this is what's hurting his popularity with the fans. You can almost picture him looking in the mirror in his dressing room before a fight and saying, 'All right, Sugar, let's go out there and keep it real flat and monotonous. Got to get rid of that showboat label.'
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Comments
godzillad Says:
I'm afraid of Clay Aiken because I'm afraid he might sleep with ME.
Aryan Says:
UFC is coming to Atlanta? get out of here
Than Says:
That was the joke godzillad, no one is afraid of clay aiken sleeping with their gf.
Jeff Says:
"Suck my balls Matt Hughes." was the correct answer.
Anonymous Says:
"Evans saying that people don’t like him because he’s a showboat is kind of like Clay Aiken saying people hate him because they’re afraid he might sleep with their girlfriends."
Hes referring to middle school guys right?
MMANewbExpert Says:
Maybe it has something to do with all of the lay and pray decisions he's squeeked by with.
Honestly with that guy he seems to fight just barely above whoever he's fighting instead of being really strong every time. Good for his record. Not so good for his fan base.
Eli Manning Says:
No one likes Rashad Evans because he is boring. He had two fights where he finished and was actually exciting. (Jason Lambert and Sean Salmon)
My opinion Rashad wasn't very impressive in either of his last two fights. He should of loss to Tito and barely beat Bisping who is a middleweight right now.
Chuck will probably knock him out.
OX Says:
I hope this fight happens
Check out the CP forums!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Boneman Says:
What ever happened to the Rashaad Evans vs. James Irvin fight....
I thought that popped up on the MMA radar a few months back...??
martymarta Says:
Wow, I am confused as to who is serious about this stupid Clay Aiken joke. I would like to make the assumption that these guys aren't that retarded...
So why ISN'T Rashad popular. Seriously. He has a sick resume. I would pay to see him fight for sure.
Matt Hughes is a douchebag and needs to retire.
Iron Dragon Says:
Rashad has real skill, and he as progressed a lot since TUF. I don't mind a little showboating as long as there is ability to back it up. I personally am a fan of Rashad.
RED Says:
@Boneman
Irvine ended up getting hurt a week or so before the fight so thats why they ended up dropping Evans from the card.
Netterbog Says:
I don't like Rashad because his nipples look like vienna sausages.
teachbug Says:
.....and you are looking at rashads nipples because?????????
A your a flaming homo-saladtosser?
or
B your a tea-bagging cum slosher?
or
c your a weird ass dude who just wants to be A or B?
Boneman Says:
Why the hell are you looking at his nipples....?
Ohhhh...Netterbog must be Clay Aiken...!
pfid Says:
As many others have pointed out, Rashad's D-1 wrestler style of fighting is why he has not gained more popularity. It's the same reason why I can't stand Cosheck... never cared for Hughes, hated watching Manny's fights, and currently can't stand watching Jesse the retard fight. Watching a former D-1 wrestler take someone down and give them noogies or simulate gay porn for 15 minutes is about as boring (and/or gross) as it gets. In contrast, Liddell uses his D-1 wrestling skills to stuff takedowns, get to his feet, and strike. Not surprisingly, people tend to like that style.
å₧╬╧♫╞ΩΦ╚→ Says:
Joe Silva: let's see, where is one place that people might pay to see Rashad Evans...
Dana White: Atlanta?
Joe Silva: ???
Lucas(TheFightJournal) Says:
“Evans saying that people don’t like him because he’s a showboat is kind of like Clay Aiken saying people hate him because they’re afraid he might sleep with their girlfriends.” - pure gold.
Fans don't like Rashad Evans because he's boring and has zero finishing ability. Someone above said Rashad has progressed a lot since TUF but I would beg to differ. Yes, he did improve exponentially right after TUF but that seemed to quickly come to a screeching halt. The two exciting fights he had (only because they were KO's) turned out to be against two opponents who both have the weakest chins in MMA. It amazes me that he has failed to develop any sort of submission game.
Idiot Says:
Big deal, he wins matches. Always just slightly better than whoever he's fighting. And no, Tito shouldn't have beaten him. Everyone says that if Tito hadn't gotten a point deducted, he would have won, but if Tito hadn't grabbed the cage he would have lost the round. Damn good, boring fighter. Reminds me of James Toney's slickster style back when he was a good boxer. Ehh, looking forward to the fight, as Chuck hasn't seemed to do to well against strategists.
lolwut Says:
Wow pfid your one of those guys i see. Referring to any ground game as gay porn implies that your a retard lol.