Evans vs. Jackson Possible for UFC 96
(Rashad's match with Rampage won't be nearly this friendly.)
We're less than two months out from UFC 96 (March 7th, Columbus), and so far the biggest match on the card is Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga. Which means it's desperation time for the UFC — a time to call up old friends and tell them they'll only have a ten-week layoff between fights. This just in:
Evans and Jackson emerged from their last bouts relatively unscathed, so it seems feasible. It also might be the only main event available at this point, so it kind of has to happen unless the UFC is cool with Carwin/Gonzaga toplining the event. Even better, it'll mean that the winner of the Lyoto Machida/Thiago Silva match at UFC 94 could challenge for the title in his next fight, as long as he's willing to wait like five months for it. Damn...just how many times could the 205-pound strap change hands this year?
Semi-related: Remember when we said that Forrest Griffin's hand injury would sideline him until the fall? Bad information, apparently. According to Forrest's people, he'll be back this summer.
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Comments
knightrida Says:
Why does a fighter get a title shot again after only one win?
Dave Says:
The likelihood of "All titles on the line" at UFC 100 in July remains high with this possibility. Really seems like this one is going to happen.
Dave Says:
And probably because he was a popular champion whose title loss was, in some people's eyes, disputable. Who else would you give the shot to? And before you answer that, keep in mind that the UFC is a business. Title matches need to draw. Lyoto ain't going to get it done.
iron helps us play Says:
nice. it should be a very fast-paced match.
both fighters have knock-out power. i don't see it going past 3 rounds.
i'm rooting for jackson.
Jeffro Says:
Dave seems like an intelligent guy.
Knightrida...not so much.
Dynamite!! Says:
although i am a fan of machida, most pay-per-view buyers are not.
i understand why rampage gets the shot.
he lost the belt by decision in a very close fight. he just got the knockout of the night honors in his last fight against his nemesis. and he can draw in a lot of fans with his charisma. unfortunately, machida couldn't draw a smiley face on a piece of paper to save his life.
HillBilly Says:
Winner gets Bob Sapp.
george is getting upset Says:
winner of machida vs silva should become the number one contender.
rua, griffin, jardine and especially liddell, need a couple wins before they get their shot.
george is getting upset Says:
winner of machida vs silva should become the number one contender.
boring or not, machida deserves it.
rua, griffin, jardine and especially liddell, need a couple of wins before they get a title shot.
Geriatric Peon Says:
Agreed with Dave but I wouldn't knock Knightrida for that question...... I would knock his name but it was a legit question.
Your Fucking Father Says:
I understand why Dana is giving Rampage another title shot but I would really like to see Evans vs Lyoto. I know its not a draw to some but I must be one of the only people who likes watching Lyoto fight. It does not seem boring to me.
lyototoyl Says:
i also like watching machida's fights. he dominated and submitted the african assassin in a slick arm triangle, and he was toying with ortiz.
i think he would give evans a run for his money bc the guy doesn't really make many mistakes so evans would have a tough time capitalizing.
there, i said it Says:
i'm just gonna play the typical American fan card and say that the average American fan likes swinging brawls that ends in knock-outs. that's why they love Liddell. no offense to the american fan who can appreciate technique, but that is the truth. go watch fight for the troops and you'll see what i mean.
Creamy CA Roll Says:
Technique or not, most fans will not shell out $50 to watch Evans vs Machida. Putting that as the headliner is ppv suicide. It won't break 250k buys, no matter how good the rest of the card is
TUF Guy Says:
The girl that I met in the gym just called me like 20 mins. ago. It's going down this Saturday. I'll submit her in no time by cock-choke
Bootylam! Says:
Machida would just use the "Starnes" defense against Evans anyway.
NeW jErSeY-nEw JeRsEy Says:
too early for Page...way too early. What about Machida/Thiago Silva? What about the rematch with Forrest (he could be back in the summer, right?).
I don't know...I don't like it.
iron helps us play Says:
FYI - the starnes defense is pretty difficult and underappreciated.
running backwards while flipping the bird requires good spatial awareness and fine motor skills.
Bootylam! Says:
Especially with a "broken foot". Iron's right, never thought of it that way.
kostellow Says:
i like the matchup in spite of the 'derseved title shot' discussion.
evans is becoming a great well rounded explosive(im not using this term as the polite version of 'black', right?!) fighter, eith elusiveness, speed, intelligence and ko power. but if he gets owned in the first two rounds like in the griffin fight he wont be awaken in the third to turn thing around against jackson.
and hell i really like page's boxing, he has a very tight stance, great blocking and head movement so this will be a fantastic stand up war.
if evans manages to outwrestle him i think rampage will be in a world of trouble working off his back.
evans by GNP, and then the most elusive fight of all time against machida. lets see who picks shots better.
F'n Clownshoes Says:
Sounds good to me. Page blows through Evans then Machida/Silva winner gets Page.
Evans just can't carry Machida/Silva, but Page could fight a "red bull" and get buys.
Snowman Says:
"MMAmania.com can confirm that [fight] COULD be added ... "
That doesn't confirm anything. Why do people always have to try and sound smarter than they are?
That said, bring on the fight!
Earl Jones Jr. Says:
Unfortunately this fight won't be added...
Rampage vs. Jardine will be the actual headliner...
*snooze*
Goog Says:
Who's the jackass that started shortening "Rampage" to "page" that now has the rest of you doing it? I don't like the guy anyway, but at least his nickname has a nickel's worth of appeal. Calling him Page = not cool in any possible way.
But if it's to much to ask to type the other three letters, let's shorten them all.
Man Liddell
Natch Couture
Chida
Snar
Rash
Griffo
Bispy
Dean J-Dine
J Fit
Arlov
ShogRu
KenSham
Andy Silv...
You know what? I take it back. It's so cool after all. And over the years, when I add up all the valuable fractions of a second that I shave off each name, I'll have time to post another comment on what a dick Rashad Evans is. Win/win.
F'n Clownshoes Says:
My favorite is bisby...no caps needed
i can't wait to see the rash-chida clash!
mayhem420 Says:
Dean J-Dine!!! lol Classic!
drummer Says:
Why all the hate at Machida? The boxing world critizises MMA because of a lack of technical skills. Martial artists are supposed to be at the top of technical but when we see a technical great like Machida everyone hates on him for being boring. This is not "So You Wanna Fight", this is MMA. The fact that no one can hit him should be a positive not a negative. I think he is brilliant.
Goog Says:
Don't forget Squez, Lebe, and Kong.
Surfin Dave Says:
Well, Goog, since you consider Rash to be a dick, then his nick should be Dick Rash.
better than you Says:
I don tknow a single dumbass that would pay money to watch EVANS fight and if you do your a sad little fag that should not do anything in life
EVANS go piss off
Bootylam! Says:
Drummer is exactly WRONG! Technique is one thing, avoiding the fight is another. Go watch those Paul Mitchell tourneys for technique. I pay my my money to see warriors actually fight, and I believe most people do. Hell, Penn is easily one of the best technical fighters ever, but when he comes out he comes to go to war and people love him for it. You think he'd be near as popular if he relied on his "elusiveness"?
drummer Says:
Dick Rash, hahahaha. That's some funny shit!
F'n Clownshoes Says:
No disrespect to Machida. I think he's a great fighter. The fact remains he will not sell pay per views. If/When he wins the belt they will be dealing with a not so exiting (style) fighter. They will have to put big personalities against him, which is fine with me....As long as it's not that douche Evans. Which is why I want this "PAGE"/"Sheed" fight to go down.
dogmaticdiscordian Says:
Goog, you forgot KenFlo... oh wait a second
Derekrva Says:
My only problem with this fight is that Rampage clearly wants a rematch with Forrest rather than an immediate shot at the title. At least thats what he said.
Though I guess his tune probably would change if that fight couldn't happen until late summer.
I don't see Jardine vs. Jackson any time soon, especially if he can't get past Cane which should be a really good fight.
To answer one of the Ben's question as to how many times can we expect to see the 205 title change hands this year: I'd say twice. Evans loses to Jackson and Jackson loses to Machida.
Knowitall Says:
Rashad and Bisbing look as if their about to get funky in that picture. Title should read "Brokeback Mountian 2: The interracial connection"
lunedi18 Says:
i love me some rampage but evans takes it via handspeed. sucks.
Goog Says:
I think Quinton would have to chase Evans around the way Chuck had to track him down. Whether or not that plays into his game, I don't know. But Evans won't push him. Evans nickname should be "Erkle" because when he knocks someone down, he gets that "Did I do that?" look on his face.
bundy Says:
You wont see rashad and machida for a little while. Machida will have the next title shot if he wins his next race, whoops i mean fight. Rampage and Rashad will be the next title fight. I'll just go ahead and call it now Rampage by ko/tko late 1st early 2nd
Jay Says:
I think Rampage and Rashad need to be set for UFC100. I can't wait to see me some black-on-black crime go down in the octagon.
Anonymous Says:
Is it just me or did that sound really gay?
better than you Says:
I would to tell all of you that you should HATE evans with all your heart! heres why....In the end we all love to see a fight and this guy is no fighter!!! he won like 10 fights via lay and pray!!! thats not fighting....thats being GAY which is what he is we all know he does down. Then he got the biggest LUCKY punch of his life aginst Chuck....come on man he swung so blind he wouldnt be able to hit wall if he tried!! he got lucky plain and simple..... Oh yeah and ran from the whole fight by the way like a coward
Then he runs form forest too and again gets lucky
I challenge any STUPID evans to prove to us that your fag boy is a reaf fighter....prove it or take a glass of of STFU!!!
ALL HATE FOR EVANS!!!!
give me a crowbar and I will take evans DOWN!