UFC: "Sugar" Rashad Evans - Buffalo's next champion?
whitey@wgr550.com
Ok, Ok, I know that Rashad Evans is from Niagara Falls, but I don't care. That's close enough for me.
That said: Holy Cow. What....a...punch!
For those of you who watch UFC...Saturday night was quite possibly a serious changing of the guard. Niagara Falls native, Rashad Evans, knocked out UFC Legend Chuck Liddell. It was not a knock down. It was not just a punch. It was a bomb, that sent the "Iceman" into another plane of consciousness before he even hit the canvas. Here's a grainy version of the video, but you get the idea.
It marked the biggest win of Evans career. Previously unbeaten to this point (12-0-1 and 7-0-1 in UFC), the blow that Evans landed on Liddell's jaw served as more than just a knockout punch. It served as a message for many that have doubted him. Forrest Griffin and Rampage Jackson were both in attendance at the Phillips Arena, in Atlanta. You better believe they took notice.
What happens now? A title shot. UFC President Dana White confirmed in the post fight press conference that Evans would be getting the title shot that many had thought Chuck Liddell would get. While there is no date set, there is already speculation that he'll get that fight before the end of the year...perhaps in Las Vegas December 28th.
So who IS Rashad Evans?
He's a Niagara Falls native who attended Niagara-Wheatfield High School. He was a wrestler, and a darn good one. Evans attended NCCC where he continued his wrestling career, winning the National Junior College championship at 165 lb. (75 kg) in 2000. From there, the 4th of 8 children transferred to Michigan State.
Like many of the UFC's best, Evans had a back ground in hand to hand combat. His background is in wrestling, which makes it THAT much more impressive that he just outpunched Chuck Liddell. Evans might just have the complete package.
He can punch (as you saw in the video earlier)...
He can kick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHGZmphJ4hY (Go to the 6 minute mark...and watch)
I'm guessing he can wrestle too.
What Evans has done with his career is already noteworthy. Here in Buffalo, we latched on to "Baby" Joe Mesi because he was an unbeaten from the Town of Tonawanda. Mesi never got his "Liddell victory". Mesi never came close to that. I know that his career was cut short due to injury, but he had lots of time and wasted it. He could have booked bigger names. He could have sought bigger fights. However, it's not Mesi's fault so much as it's the fault of boxing.
The sport has largely become a joke. It's NEWS when a big fight is announced. In the UFC, it happens every month. The guys HAVE TO fight. You don't get to nurse your career along. You think you're good? Fight Liddell. The "Iceman" would cometh...and he'd take with him Evans. This was to be the fight that put Evans in his place as a good fighter, who wouldn't be able to handle the elite.
Turns out he's elite.
Keep an eye out for him. I'll keep you posted. Looks life Forrest Griffin might be next.
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By the way, I'm going to be blogging about MMA as often as I can. It needs a sweet name. Something tough. Send me your suggestions, and your thoughts in general.
whitey@wgr550.com
Upcoming events to look for:
UFC89 - Oct. 18th - Michael Bisping v. Chris Leben (no title matches)
UFC90 - Oct. 25th - Anderson Silva v. Patrick Cote - Silva, the Spiderman in action is ALWAYS worth it
UFC91 - Nov. 15th - Brock Lesnar v. Randy Couture - will get LOTS of pub
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