Fresh off his victory over Thiago Silva at UFC 108, Rashad Evans is currently training in Montreal and ready for his next challenge. Evans lost his first professional fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 but bounced back against Silva, “I really wanted to push the pace and that was the game plan”, he said.
Against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Thiago Silva, Evans felt he should go back to basics and wrestle his way to a victory. “With Thiago, it was a no brainer with the takedowns because he really doesn’t have good takedown defence so I really worked that a lot, making it a point to try and finish every combination with a takedown.”
He succeeded in executing his game plan, despite all the distractions outside the octagon, notably with TUF Season 10 rival coach Quinton Rampage Jackson. “It was difficult to focus on the fight, but at the same time Thiago for me was definitely a worthy challenge because of the simple fact that the guy is a great competitor and he beat a really good friend of mine.”
The rematch between Rashad Evans and Quinton Jackson is slated to happen sometime in the first half of 2010. Just exactly how badly does he want to beat Jackson? “To be honest, I want to fight Rampage, but he’s not the champion. He doesn’t hold a victory over me.” Evans feels he is at the point where he was before even winning the belt for first time, and claims that what counts now is just enjoying the ride until he gets another shot at the championship title. “There are some things I want to work on my game that I want to get better at, and I’m in no hurry.”
However, following all the animosity between the two Season 10 coaches, Evans is eager to come out fighting. “I’m just ready to fight and look forward to getting in the cage with him. I just want to get into a scrap because I know he’s been talking trash, so let’s do it. There’s no better venue than in the octagon.”
(quotes from interview on Ringside Report Radio)
Listen to the Rashad Evans interview on Ringside Report Radio here
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