One of the most
anticipated bouts in the UFC's history finally takes place this
Saturday as former friends and training partners Jon “Bones”
Jones and “Sugar” Rashad Evans fight for the UFC light
heavyweight title.
In 2005, a young mixed
martial artist with a background in wrestling named Rashad Evans
joined Greg Jackson's fight camp in Alburquerque, New Mexico. On the
road to winning the light heavyweight belt, he helped build Jackson's
gym into one of the most successful and famous in the sport. By
2009, a new young fighter was making waves in the division and
Jackson asked Evans how he would feel about inviting Jon Jones into
the camp. Evans was excited by the youngster's potential and took
him under his wing. The two developed a brotherly relationship and
vowed never to fight one another.
Later that year, Evans
lost his title but determinedly set out to reclaim it, beating
Rampage Jackson to earn a title shot against Mauricio Rua. By early
2011, Jon Jones was riding an unstoppable wave of momentum. He had
won twelve of his thirteen fights, with his only loss a
disqualification. When Rashad Evans was injured in preparation for
his title fight with Rua, Jon Jones stepped in. Jones demolished the
champion and won the belt. Finally, Jones admitted he would fight
Rashad if he had to.
In the thirteen months
that have followed his title win, Jones has gone on to finish former
champions Lyoto Machida and Rampage Jackson as well. Injuries and
circumstances have kept the two apart. Evans has left Jackson's and
set up his own fight camp, The Blackzilians in Florida. Greg
Jackson, trainer and friend to both fighters, has been forced to pick
a side and will corner Jones for the fight.
Rashad Evans comes into
this fight feeling wronged. He feels like his young friend went back
on their agreement not to fight each other. His former friend and
mentor seems to have picked his opposition. Add to that his recent
split from his wife and living far from his children at his new camp
in Florida and Evans cuts a lonely figure. But this loneliness and
sense of betrayal seems to be fuelling a fire in the ex champion.
Jones is considered a
massive favourite, he has dispatched three former UFC champions in
his last three fights. He is young, athletic, creative and has an
incredible reach advantage. In his last three fights, he has gone
from exciting prospect to unstoppable champion. However, Rashad
Evans should not be counted out. He has looked supreme since his
come back from injury and he has also defeated a who's who of the
light heavyweight division. Not to mention the fact that he has
trained extensively with the champ and claims to have his number.
This Saturday is more
than just about who will win a title. It is a contest between two
best friends turned bitter enemies. For Rashad Evans, it is a chance
to show that his old team backed the wrong horse. For Jones, it is
another former champion to add to his list of victims.
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