Jon Kopaloff/Zuffa LLC - Getty Images
Rashad Evans faced Phil Davis Saturday night in Chicago for a shot at Jon Jones' light heavyweight title. For twenty-five minutes Evans was able to outwork and control Phil Davis on both the ground and on the feet. Rashad has made huge leaps in becoming a more well rounded fighter developing a heavy top game to compliment his speedy boxing.
The judges gave all five rounds to Evans for his dominant performance. This fight was original booked for UFC 133 but injuries to both fighters caused the extensive delays. Davis was unable to get the fight to the ground nor was he able to find his range when attacking on the feet.
Though Evans earned a shot at Jones' title, he wasn't impressive in his performance. The skills he showcased on Saturday night don't really offer any kind of threat to Jon Jones. He was also unable to find his range for an extended period of time and wasn't able to finish Davis within the time limit.
0 recs | 42 comments
I'm not even sure this is as easy for Jones as most people are making it out to be.
So far, whenever Jones commits and his success isn’t consistently stifled, he has always been successful. If Rashad can lower Jones to his level (Yes! That’s also a skill) he may well make it a long fight.
Unabomberman - January 29, 2012
Not necessarily a W for Evans though, right.
Because I wasn’t that impressed with his work in and out of the pocket. Picture him how he was today against an even younger kid with even longer arms.
dajulzta - January 29, 2012 via Android app
I know what you're saying, but I like Rashad's chances to make this a good scrap.
I’m not saying it will move past the second round, but that does not mean that Jones will insta-beat him in that time frame. If he pulls a Machida and gives Jones fits in one area, it will be a good showing for him.
Unabomberman - January 29, 2012
As a total Machida nut acknowledger...
I approve of this message.
dajulzta - January 29, 2012 via Android app
Why is there a picture of Rampage and Rashad?
DirtyML - January 29, 2012
Just noticed that.
dajulzta - January 29, 2012 via Android app
Promoting black on black Unity?
Neo X - January 29, 2012
That's what happens
when you blog from a train yard.
Mongoose44 - January 29, 2012
Uhhh...
andrew861 - January 29, 2012
i agree ^
Cindjor - January 29, 2012
same.
TrojanCBB - January 29, 2012
nice write up
it’s “leaps” by the way, I don’t believe you meant to write “leeps”
I think it was said a long time ago that Davis wouldn’t really get hurt by a loss and I think it’s true. This was a “gimme” fight for Evans to set up a fight with Jones.
on another note, why the crap is Jones rated higher than Anderson SILVA IN UFC UNDISPUTED 3?!?! that’s just ridiculousness to me. (yes, i know it’s at LHW)
Cindjor - January 29, 2012
because anderson hasnt fought lhw since he fought griffin thats why
i said the same thing when i saw it to but it makes sense because you cant rate your champion lower then anyone in the division no matter what
benten20 - January 29, 2012
Because they have Jones’ striking stats on par with Anderson’s, but also gave him superior stats related to top control.
In-game, Jones’ youtube striking is predictable, and you can counter it easily.
MicahtheCynic - January 29, 2012
Not close
No where near silvas..but successful
LuvinMMA - January 29, 2012 via mobile
wasnt impressive??
What fight did you watch? I watched Rashad completely outclass Davis for 5 rounds.
b2tharad - January 29, 2012
I know, right?
Prefight Davis was a big, young top 3 wrestler in MMA with legitimate submission skills that had beaten fighters like Gustafsson and Lil Nog en route to a top ten ranking; post fight apparently he wasn’t even good enough that Rashad handling him in every aspect of MMA would be impressive.
Enmascarado - January 29, 2012
rashad can never win
He outwrestled the younger champion wrestler, but its unconvincing.
He demolished tito, but tito is shot.
He KOed chuck, but he was on the way down.
Ricardo Arguello - January 29, 2012 via mobile
He KO'd Forrest but lol
He head kicked a fish
He barely beat Bisping (Ah Ha! I think we found the source!)
RolloTomasi - January 29, 2012
Davis was a good win for Rashad.
He didn’t get put into trouble late, like he was against Page and T. Silva
ElliotMatheny - January 29, 2012
ruuushard
did what he had to do to get the win, it was more exciting then his match with rampage or thiago
MegaReem - January 29, 2012
besides when he gets rocked and goes wobbly legs
MegaReem - January 29, 2012
did rashad show any way in which he can beat jones in this fight?
i’m pumped for the fight, but goddamn i cant think of any stylistic matchup or gameplan that rashad can follow to victory here.
outside of landing a flash ko, or jones not showing up at 100% i simply cant imagine rashad regaining the belt
milk72 - January 29, 2012
Jones has very happy that Rashed won
He wasn’t faking happiness. He was happy that he can finally shit in the haters mouths. I just wish one of you haters will tell me what shit tastes like after ATL
Joben - January 29, 2012
yeah, all the jones haters cant say he was being fake…he genuinely WANTS to fight and destroy rashad
phantom5691 - January 29, 2012
got some nuts in your mouth
snickers get some nuts!
MegaReem - January 29, 2012
I didnt think for a second that davis had a chance against rashad going into this fight, but wow. davis hands and foot work just looked so awkward at times. i was not impressed at all
rashad, although i like him, gave me no reason whatsoever that he can beat jones. and like i said a while back; that “mean streak” that belies jones’ exterior is going to come out in full force against rashad.
its going to be ugly. mark my words
phantom5691 - January 29, 2012
Back Stories ...yeah ,but !
Is Fox going to turn the UFC into another sob sister montage ,as NBC has done with the Olympics.
I mean I am watching for the excitement and love of the sport. It’s like when that dog commercial and sad music comes on in the middle of Always Sunny in Philadelphia reruns.
Can they put a clock on corner of the screen.
Hellbow - January 29, 2012
Rashad showed everyone that he is an elite fighter
By outclassing a guy who isn’t. Is he going to beat Jones? Probably not, but to be quite honest if he can come out and really put it Jones, I think he has a chance. Jones is an offensive prodigy, but he seems a little shy of exchanging in the pocket, and I have to wonder how good his defense is.
discoandherpes - January 29, 2012
I knew Rashad would win based on the walkout music
Mobb Deep>Kanye West
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
Although I think All of the Lights is probably one of the best pop songs in recent memory
can’t compare with Mobb Deep before Prodigy forgot how to rap.
discoandherpes - January 29, 2012
Oh yeah, I like my Long Ridiculous Fantasy Album Title a lot
But Shook Ones Pt. II is golden age hardcore and it’s most hard and most core. And most golden and most age, too.
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
and? at!
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
2007-2008: Rashad is such a boring lay and prayer!
2009: Who does this guy think he is? Badr Hari? Stop the sloppy kickboxing and go back to your wrestling!
2010: Boooooring! Try to mix it up every now and then!
2011: Yeah, ok, but try mixing it up with someone that isn’t Tito! Take a step up in competition, maybe someone you won’t be able to outwrestle. Like Phil Davis!
2012: Meh. I am unimpress.
Jesus Christ.
BVandDietPepsi - January 29, 2012
He's a solid #2 in the div.
I called him beating Machida the first time out (nice work, right?) Maybe after Jones whomps him it’ll be time to make that matchup again.
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
Yup, yup, yup.
Just like how Rampage will KO him, he’ll be too rusty against a hot Tito, Davis will outwrestle him, so on and so forth.
BVandDietPepsi - January 29, 2012
Hey, maybe he can beat Jones. Those crucifixes were mean-looking, and clearly he and Jones are on the same page with that technique.
I expected all those other fights to go down pretty much the way they did, though.
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
"The skills he showcased on Saturday night don't really offer any kind of threat to Jon Jones."
Rashad did just dominate a long-limbed, fantastic wrestler, right? Rashad has great hand speed in the pocket. That wouldn’t be “any kind of threat” against Jones? Rashad was able to land takedowns and strikes by catching the kicks Davis used to keep Rashad on the outside – clearly another maneuver that wouldn’t be “any kind of threat to Jones.”
Jones ought to be the favorite in their fight, but give me a break.
Moper - January 29, 2012
Jones will actually KO and submit him at the same time!
An embarassment of riches!
BVandDietPepsi - January 29, 2012
you are on fire today. I agree with what you are saying Rashad was never concerned in that fight. It was like watching a n older brother pick on his little brother for 5 rounds.
Bobillarious - January 29, 2012 via Android app
Separately
Those robot double leg takedowns were even more obnoxious than gladiator man.
I guess “class” is just the weight you make the day before the fights.
some schmuck in texas - January 29, 2012
I was impressed by Rashad
At no point did Phil have him in any danger and he thoroughly outgrappled the “superior” wrestler that everyone was so sure would buttfuck Rashad on the ground. Rashad may not have gotten some incredible finish but he dominated the entire fight and outclassed Phil in every area.
War stankyleg!
menckenstein - January 29, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Bloody Elbow to post a comment.