In the words of UFC ring announcer Bruce Buffer, 'it's time'. Rashad Evans will challenge Jon Jones for the UFC light heavyweight title tomorrow night at UFC 145. This fight has been in the making for a long time. Two guys who know so much about the other. They trained together under Greg Jackson and vowed never to fight the other. However, with success comes jealously and with jealously comes the end of friendships and promises.
Evans didn't like that Jackson may have been spending more time with the up-and-coming Jones during training sessions. While that may not have been entirely true, after Jones said in an interview that he would fight Evans if the opportunity presented itself, Evans then decided it would be in his best interest to leave Jackson's camp to start his own. Then the trash talking began. A twitter war ignited personal attacks. Evans went as far to question Jones' likeable personality by calling him fake.
The goal of this sport and any other sport is to be champion. Sometimes beating friends comes with the territory. There have been situations in the past where certain fighters from certain camps vowed never to fight one another and it never happened. We lose as fans. I feel if you know the circumstances with being a fighter you cannot take on real friendships with fellow fighters. I think Jones and Evans have proven that it just cannot work. Now I'm sure lower level fighters can make it work, especially considering how unlikely it is they will fight for a title.
How does fighter A, who is the current champion not expect fighter B to challenge him for the title? Why would fighter B risk financial, fame, prestige and everything else that comes with being the champion? It is just a mindless thought. Be acquaintances, not friends. By the way, I feel if fighters understood what it meant to be a fighter and not allowed personal feelings to get in the way, then they could be friends. The problem is ego gets in the way. Would you want to be friends with someone who just beat you for a title and took everything you had?
Now based on the fact these two trained together it has raised the question of who has the advantage? Reportedly during training sessions Evans got the better of Jones. However, based on the what we've learned about Jones, who's to say Jones showed Rashad his best? If he knew he would eventually fight him, perhaps Jones gave Evans a sense of false confidence.
Evans has said he knows how to take Jones down. As fight fans that should be our biggest fear. I know it's mine, and not from the thought of Evans winning, but the thought of a snore-fest aka lay and pray for 5 rounds. Evans isn't exactly vintage Tito Ortiz when it comes to ground and pound. And let's be honest Jones' legs are thinner than a 12 year-old girls. I'm not so sure if he can get back up. However, with Jones' unpredictable style, I wouldn't put it past him to hip escape and slap on a triangle.
I do think Evans can stand with Jones. If you recall many say Machida won the first round against Jones before falling victim in the 2nd round via submission. And albeit Chuck Lidell was past his prime and just hanging on, Evans put him to sleep with a great counter shot. Evans can throw with anyone in my opinion. Now Machida did put Evans to sleep, so you can say if you do the MMA math Evans has little chance with Jones in the stand-up game. Jones is unorthodox and you never know what he's going to do.
I am going to pick Evans via decision. I believe he will take Jones down and we may get the most disappointing, boring fight that will make us hate ourselves for getting so pumped up. This has happened before when involving a wrestler; wouldn't be the first or last time. As a fan I'm just thrilled injuries or failed drug tests didn't prevent this from happening.
Enjoy the fight!
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