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Rashad Evans

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Rashad Evans
BornRashad Anton Evans
(1979-09-25) September 25, 1979 (age 44)
Niagara Falls, New York, United States
Other namesSuga[1]
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)
DivisionLight Heavyweight
Reach75.0 in (191 cm)[2]
StyleFreestyle wrestling, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gaidojutsu
Fighting out ofBoca Raton, Florida
TeamImperial Athletics
Rank  black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[3]
  black belt in Gaidojutsu[4]
NCAA Division I Wrestling
Years active2004–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total17
Wins15
By knockout5
By submission2
By decision8
Losses1
By knockout1
Draws1
Amateur record
Total2
Wins2
By submission1
By decision1
Losses0
Other information
UniversityMichigan State University
Niagara County C.C.
SpouseLaToya
Children3
Notable relativesLance Evans, brother
Notable school(s)Niagara-Wheatfield High School
Websitehttp://www.rashadevans.tv/
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Last updated on: February 16, 2011

Rashad Anton Evans (born September 25, 1979) is an American mixed martial artist from Niagara Falls, New York, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Evans won the heavyweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Evans lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship by way of knockout to then undefeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 98.[5] Evans is currently ranked as the #3 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world by Sherdog[6] and Yahoo! Sports.[7]

Early life

One of eight children,[8] Evans was a two-time All-State wrestler at Niagara Wheatfield High School (Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District) in Sanborn, New York.[9] He was also a two-way player on the school's football team,[10] playing running back when on offense and safety on defense.

After graduating from high school in the year 1998, Evans went on to attend Niagara County Community College, where he entered the wrestling program and won the National Junior College championship 165 lb (75 kg) in 2000. He then transferred to Michigan State University, competing in the 174 lb (79 kg) weight class. He started at Michigan State for three years and amassed a 48–34 record during that time. Evans was also one of only three people to ever defeat wrestling legend Greg Jones.[11] Since graduating from Michigan State and earning a degree in psychology, he has remained a resident of Lansing, Michigan. In 2005, he became an assistant coach for the Michigan State wrestling program.[12]

Mixed martial arts

Early career

In 2004, under the tutelage of veteran wrestler and MMA fighter Dan Severn,[13] Evans competed in five professional mixed martial arts fights, winning all five. This led to his selection as one of the nine heavyweights to compete on The Ultimate Fighter 2, a reality TV series on Spike. The season began airing on August 22, 2005, culminating in a live finale between the final two fighters of each weight division, held in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 5, 2005.

The Ultimate Fighter

At 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 225 pounds (102 kg), Evans was the shortest and the second-lightest of the nine heavyweight competitors.[14] He was considered the underdog in each of his fights, but made it to the finals by defeating Tom Murphy, Mike Whitehead, and Keith Jardine all by decision. During his tenure on the show, Evans was criticized by opposing coach Matt Hughes for his showboating during fights, but the two eventually settled their differences, and Hughes even cornered Evans for his semifinal bout. In the finale, Evans defeated 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) Brad Imes by split decision, thus winning a three-year, six-figure contract with the UFC and a brand new car. After The Ultimate Fighter, Evans joined Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting camp along with fellow competitor Keith Jardine, who would eventually become his training partner and good friend.


After the show

Evans dropped down to light heavyweight after the show, deciding he would have a better chance of success in a lower weight class.[15] His first fight under the contract took place on April 6, 2006 against Sam Hoger, who had been a semi-finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 1. Evans defeated Hoger via split decision despite nearly falling victim to a kimura submission at the end of the second round.[16]

Evans followed with a victory by majority decision over The Ultimate Fighter 1 finalist Stephan Bonnar on June 28, 2006. Evans maintained control throughout the fight with repeated take downs, including a number of slams in the center of the cage and went on to secure the victory.[17] Three months later, Evans faced Jason Lambert at UFC 63. Lambert, riding an eight-fight win streak, was seen as Evans's first real test at 205 pounds. Evans controlled the fight from early on, and knocked Lambert out with punches from the mount in the second round.[18] It was his first stoppage victory in over two years.

Evans next headlined UFC Fight Night: Evans vs Salmon against UFC newcomer Sean Salmon, a highly decorated collegiate wrestler who held a 9–1 professional record. Though Salmon had won the first round by scoring two takedowns, Evans came back with a head kick knockout early in the second round. Salmon remained motionless for several minutes after the fight and was eventually carried out on a stretcher to a local hospital. The kick came to the surprise of many fans who had previously considered Evans a one-dimensional wrestler.[19]

At UFC 73, Evans squared off against former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz. The two competitors fought to a draw as all three judges scored the bout 28–28. Ortiz had won two out of three rounds on all scorecards, but was deducted a point for holding the cage fence to defend against a takedown by Evans.[20] Immediately after the fight, Ortiz asked for a rematch. At a press conference following UFC 73, UFC President Dana White promised a rematch, but it never materialized. Instead, Evans made his debut as a headliner on a pay-per-view event at UFC 78 against fellow undefeated fighter and The Ultimate Fighter 3 winner Michael Bisping. After three close rounds, Evans came out on top on two of the judgess' scorecards, winning by controversial split decision. This fight marked Bisping's first loss and his final bout in the light heavyweight division. After his win over Bisping, Evans drastically changed his fighting style, which he kept secret until his fight against UFC Legend Chuck Liddell.

Evans vs. Liddell

Entering the fight as a very heavy underdog, Evans shocked the world by knocking out former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell in brutal fashion at UFC 88. Liddell threw an uppercut that Evans countered with an overhand right, landing flush. Liddell remained unconscious for several minutes before finally walking out of the cage under his own power. The knockout was awarded knockout of the year by Sherdog for 2008. Evans had previously been scheduled to face Liddell at UFC 85 as a replacement for the injured Mauricio Rua. When Liddell pulled out of the event due to an injured hamstring,[21] Evans was matched with James Irvin. When Irvin pulled out after breaking his foot, the fight was removed from the card altogether.[22] After the fight, UFC President Dana White confirmed in the post-event press conference that Evans's next fight would be a title shot against newly crowned light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 92.[23]

Light heavyweight champion

On December 27, 2008 at UFC 92, Evans faced champion Forrest Griffin for the UFC light heavyweight belt.[24] Griffin controlled most of the first two rounds with effective striking and low kicks. In the third round, however, Evans caught a low kick and countered with a straight right hand that dropped Griffin. Evans followed Griffin to the ground and eventually managed to finish the stunned champion with ground and pound. With the victory, Evans became the new UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion. It capped off a year in which Evans won Fighter of the Year honors from Sherdog.com.

Losing the title

Evans' first defense of the UFC Light-Heavyweight title against challenger Lyoto Machida ended in a knockout. During a flurry of punches from Machida, Rashad started trash talking Machida telling him 'his hands were made of pillows'. Machida continued his onslaught, knocking Rashad out. This was the first loss of his career and the 15th straight win of Lyoto Machida's career.[25][26] Then, Evans went on to coach against Rampage Jackson in The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights. Evans was scheduled to fight Jackson on December 12, 2009, at UFC 107, but this was cancelled due to Jackson being cast for the A-Team movie.[27]

The road back to the belt

Evans fought Thiago Silva in the main event of UFC 108 on January 2, 2010.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30][31] 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 takedowns that frustrated Silva throughout the match, but Evans failed to damage Silva substantially while on the ground.[32] 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,[33] but the bout took place on May 29, 2010 at UFC 114.[34]

Rashad Evans defeated Rampage Jackson via unanimous decision, after three rounds of fighting.[35] UFC President Dana White has officially confirmed that Rashad Evans will square off against Maurício Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight title,[36] but not until mid-Spring or early-Summer of 2011 as Rua recovers from knee surgery.[37] 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.[38]

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.[39] Evans will now face Jon Jones.[40]

During a UFC 128 post fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Evans stated that he was done training at Jackson's Submission Fighting in preparation for his fight with Jon Jones.[41]

Personal life

Evans and his wife have one son, Rashad Jr, and a daughter, Nia.[42] He also has a daughter, Tahja, from a previous relationship.[43] Evans's brother Lance made a brief appearance on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs Team Mir, but was eliminated by Vinicius Magalhaes due to a rib injury and did not join the cast.[44]

Evans has appeared in a Microsoft commercial, where he says the lines, "You got a problem with that!" and "I'm a PC!", while sparring with an unidentified opponent.[45]

Evans enjoys going to Caribbean resorts and relaxing on beaches when not competing. Evans also enjoys video gaming; his favorite games being NBA 2k and Madden. Evans also made an appearance on Spike TV's show, Deadliest Warrior. In this episode, Evans easily pierces a pig carcass with the xyston similar to one used by Alexander the Great, and crushed a gel torso's throat with an elbow.[43]

Championships and awards

  • Gladiator Challenge
    • GC Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner
  • Sherdog
    • 2008 Fighter of the Year [2]
    • 2008 Knockout of the Year against Chuck Liddell [3]
  • FIGHT! Magazine
    • 2008 Knockout of the Year against Chuck Liddell[46]
  • World MMA Awards
    • Best Knockout (2008)

Mixed martial arts record

The UFC counts two amateur bouts in the The Dangerzone MMA promotion,[47] as well as Evans' three victories in The Ultimate Fighter 2, resulting in a record of 20–1–1[48] for Evans according to the UFC. However, the N.S.A.C. has instructed record keepers that all fights on The Ultimate Fighter are considered exhibition matches; therefore, Evans' official professional MMA record is currently 15–1–1.[49]

Professional record breakdown
17 matches 15 wins 1 loss
By knockout 5 1
By submission 2 0
By decision 8 0
Draws 1
Result Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15-1-1 Quinton Jackson Decision (unanimous) UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada UFC Light Heavyweight title eliminator.
Win 14-1-1 Thiago Silva Decision (unanimous) UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva January 2, 2010 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 13–1-1 Lyoto Machida KO (punches) UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida May 23, 2009 2 3:57 Las Vegas, Nevada Lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship
Win 13–0-1 Forrest Griffin TKO (punches) UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 December 27, 2008 3 2:46 Las Vegas, Nevada Won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship; Fight of the Night
Win 12–0-1 Chuck Liddell KO (punch) UFC 88: Breakthrough September 6, 2008 2 1:51 Atlanta, Georgia Knockout of the Night; Knockout of the Year
Win 11–0-1 Michael Bisping Decision (split) UFC 78: Validation November 17, 2007 3 5:00 Newark, New Jersey
Draw 10–0-1 Tito Ortiz Draw UFC 73: Stacked July 7, 2007 3 5:00 Sacramento, California Tito Ortiz was deducted a point for grabbing the fence
Win 10–0 Sean Salmon KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Salmon January 25, 2007 2 1:06 Hollywood, Florida Knockout of the Night
Win 9–0 Jason Lambert KO (punches) UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn September 23, 2006 2 2:22 Anaheim, California
Win 8–0 Stephan Bonnar Decision (majority) UFC Ultimate Fight Night 5 June 28, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 7–0 Sam Hoger Decision (split) UFC Ultimate Fight Night 4 April 6, 2006 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Return to Light Heavyweight
Win 6–0 Brad Imes Decision (split) The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale November 5, 2005 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada Wins The Ultimate Fighter 2 Heavyweight contest
Win 5–0 Jaime Jara Decision (unanimous) GC 27 – FightFest 2 June 3, 2004 3 5:00 Colusa, California Wins Gladiator Challenge Light Heavyweight Tournament
Win 4–0 Hector Ramirez Decision (unanimous) GC 27 – FightFest 2 June 3, 2004 2 5:00 Colusa, California
Win 3–0 Bryan Pardoe TKO (punches) GC 26 – FightFest 1 June 2, 2004 1 3:24 Colusa, California
Win 2–0 Danny Anderson Submission (punches) Dangerzone – Cage Fighting April 10, 2004 1 3:09 Osceola, Iowa
Win 1–0 Dennis Reed Submission Dangerzone – Cage Fighting April 10, 2004 1 0:50 Osceola, Iowa

See also

References

  1. ^ Sherdog.com. "Fight Finder - Rashad "Suga" Evans's Mixed Martial Arts Statistics". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2009-09-08.
  2. ^ http://www.ufc.com/event/UFC-114-RAMPAGE-vs-EVANS#/fight/Quinton-Jackson-Rashad-Evans
  3. ^ http://tweetphoto.com/7897310
  4. ^ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/2/9/1303536/rashad-evans-gets-another-black
  5. ^ Sherdog.com. "Fight Finder - Rashad "Sugar" Evans's Mixed Martial Arts Statistics". Sherdog.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  6. ^ http://www.sherdog.com/news/rankings/3/Sherdog-Official-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Rankings-30994
  7. ^ http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slug=ys-mmaweek112410
  8. ^ "Article about his upcoming fight against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73". UFC.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  9. ^ "UFC Betting Odds - UFC 78: Validation - Rashad Evans vs Michael Bisping". Fighting-mma.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  10. ^ "MMA: UFC 88 pits wrestler Rashad Evans against slugger Chuck Liddell". Canada.com. May 30, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  11. ^ "Countdown to UFC 88 Breakthrough". Mma-core.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  12. ^ [1][dead link]
  13. ^ "Rashad Evans MMA Profile". Mmapassport.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  14. ^ "Iceman heats up octagon". Canada.com. September 6, 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  15. ^ Foster, Eric (September 4, 2008). "Breaking down Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans (from FIGHT! Magazine)". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  16. ^ Sherdog.com (April 7, 2006). "Not Enough? Judges Choose Bonnar Over Jardine". Sherdog.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  17. ^ "MMA on DVD: UFC: Fight Night 5 | Inside Fights". Insidefights.com. September 18, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  18. ^ "Team Griffonrawl - MMA and Muay Thai Lessons and School". Griffonrawl-ohio.com. September 23, 2006. Archived from the original on August 24, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  19. ^ "Martial arts' Frank Shamrock tries luck in ring". The Rocky Mountain News. February 2, 2007. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  20. ^ "Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz fight to a draw". Blogs.chron.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  21. ^ "Liddell injured; UFC 85 fight against Evans canceled". Ballhype.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  22. ^ Barry, Steve (May 21, 2008). "James Irvin breaks foot, UFC 85 bout with Rashad Evans scrapped". Mmaconvert.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  23. ^ Stupp, Dann (September 7, 2008). "UFC 88 winner Rashad Evans granted title shot with Forrest Griffin". MMAjunkie.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  24. ^ Sherdog.com. "Evans, Mir Crowned; Rampage Gets Revenge". Sherdog.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  25. ^ "Not so fast: Lesnar vs. Mir II and Evans vs. Jackson not official". Five Ounces of Pain. February 22, 1999. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  26. ^ "Machida mauls Evans to lift UFC title". May 23, 2009. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
  27. ^ Parry, Chris (2009-09-04). "Former UFC champ Rampage Jackson in Vancouver, set to star in new A-Team movie as BA Baracus. On September 22, 2009, Jackson wrote in a blog on his website that he is "done fighting" because of events that occurred between Jackson and Dana White, the president of the UFC. [[Thiago Silva (fighter)|Thiago Silva]] was named as Evans' next opponent at UFC 108". Vancouversun.com. Retrieved 2009-09-08. {{cite web}}: URL–wikilink conflict (help)
  28. ^ "Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva set for UFC 108 co-main event in January". mmajunkie.com. 2009-10-02. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
  29. ^ "White confirms Jackson's return, says Evans fights "Rampage" with UFC 108 win".
  30. ^ "Rashad Evans Awarded BJJ Black Belt". BJJGrappler.com. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  31. ^ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/1/2/1231122/rolles-gracie-just-awarded-rashad
  32. ^ "UFC 108 Results: Rashad Evans defeats Thiago Silva by decision, but almost gets KO'd in the 3rd round".
  33. ^ "Rashad Evans vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Likely for UFC 113 in May". mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
  34. ^ "UFC 114 official for May 29, Rashad Evans vs. Quinton Jackson headlines". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2010-03-18.
  35. ^ Brian Knapp. "Evans uses speed to foil Jackson".
  36. ^ "Dana White looks back at UFC 114: Rampage vs Evans". LowKick.com. 2010-05-28. Retrieved 2010-05-28.
  37. ^ http://mmajunkie.com/news/20410/mauricio-shogun-rua-vs-rashad-evans-ufc-title-fight-on-hold-until-mid-2011.mma
  38. ^ "Shogun vs. Evans, Ortiz vs. Nogueira Moved to UFC 129 on March 19 in Newark". Mmafrenzy.com. Retrieved 2010-12-15.
  39. ^ "Rashad Evans hurt, Jon Jones now challenges Shogun Rua for title at UFC 128".
  40. ^ http://mmajunkie.com/news/22882/ufc-boss-says-evans-up-next-former-champ-jones-refuse-to-look-past-shogun.mma
  41. ^ http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/03/20/rashad-evans-im-done-with-greg-jacksons-gym/
  42. ^ "ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Evans uses instincts to rise up in UFC". Niagara-Gazette.com. 2009-01-01. Retrieved 2009-01-01.
  43. ^ a b "UFC fighter Rashad Evans learned about life as hospital security guard". SLAM! Fighting. November 16, 2007. Retrieved June 10, 2008. [dead link]
  44. ^ "Lance Evans". MMA on Tap. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  45. ^ RSS feed (November 6, 2008). "Microsoft Commercial: 'My Name Is Rashad Evans. I Am a UFC Fighter". Mma.fanhouse.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  46. ^ http://www.fightmagazine.com/mma-magazine/mma-article.asp?aid=240&issid=18
  47. ^ http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/f/AC416280BA0D1F24/Rashad-Evans/
  48. ^ http://uk.ufc.com/fighter/Rashad-Evans
  49. ^ http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rashad-Evans-10200
Preceded by 9th UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
December 27, 2008–May 23, 2009 		Succeeded by

Template:The Ultimate Fighter 2 Template:The Ultimate Fighter 10

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