Rashad Evans

MMAstatsbox|name=Rashad Evans
nick=Sugar

---

height=height|ft=5|in=11
weight=convert|205|lb|kg st|abbr=on|lk=on
birthdate=birth date and age|year=1979|month=9|day=25
fightingfrom=Lansing, Michigan
hometown=Niagara Falls, New York
fightteam=Jackson's Submission Fighting
fightstyle=Wrestling
wins=14
losses=0
draws=1
ko=4
submissions=3
nocontest=0|

Rashad Anton Evans (born September 25, 1979 in Niagara Falls, New York) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Evans now trains out of Albuquerque, New Mexico with Jackson's Submission Fighting. [http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Rashad-Evans-10200]

Evans won the heavyweight division of "The Ultimate Fighter 2" and is undefeated.

College career

One of eight children, [ [http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=6701 Article about his upcoming fight against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73] ] Evans was a two-time All-State wrestler at Niagara-Wheatfield High School in Sanborn, New York. [http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/ufc-78-rashad-evans-michael-bisping.php] He was also a two-way player on the school's football team, [http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=4541b78c-0d53-4e34-b9ed-3d53b80e1344] playing running back when on offense and safety on defense. [http://mma-fighting.tv/Rashad%20Evans]

After graduating from high school in 1998, Evans went on to attend Niagara County Community College, [http://ronin5.com/fighters/bio/Rashad_Evans] where he continued his wrestling career, winning the National Junior College championship at 165 lb. (75 kg) in 2000. He then transferred to Michigan State University, competing in the 174 lb. (79 kg) weight class. He started at Michigan State for three years and amassed a 48-34 record during that time. Evans was also one of only four people to ever defeat wrestling legend Greg Jones. [ [http://www.mma-core.com/videos/_Countdown_to_UFC_88_Breakthrough?vid=10001473&tid=100 Countdown to UFC 88 Breakthrough] ] Since graduating from Michigan State and earning a degree in psychology, he has remained a resident of Lansing, Michigan. In 2005 he became an assistant coach for the Michigan State wrestling program. [http://www.msuwrestling.com/staff.htm]

Mixed martial arts

In 2004, under the tutelage of veteran wrestler and MMA fighter Dan Severn [http://www.mmapassport.com/mixed-martial-arts-fighter-profiles/rashad-evans-mma-profile/] , Evans competed in five professional mixed martial arts fights, winning all five. This led to his selection as one of the nine heavyweights to compete on "The Ultimate Fighter 2", a reality TV series on Spike TV. The season began airing on August 22, 2005, culminating in a live finale between the final two fighters of each weight division, held in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 5, 2005.

Evans was the shortest (at 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)), and the second lightest (at 225 lb. (102 kg)) of the nine original heavyweight competitors. [http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/sports/story.html?id=ada5fb20-a66e-4cc6-b7fb-aa830999bf40&p=2] He was considered the underdog in each of his fights, but made it to the finals by defeating Tom Murphy, Mike Whitehead, and Keith Jardine. In the finale, Evans defeated 6 ft 7 in Brad Imes by split decision, thus winning a three-year, six-figure contract with the UFC and a brand new car. After "The Ultimate Fighter" Evans joined Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting camp along with fellow competitor Keith Jardine.

Evans dropped down to light heavyweight after "The Ultimate Fighter 2 Finale" win, deciding he would have a better chance of success in a lower weight class. [http://mmajunkie.com/news/5209/breaking-down-chuck-liddell-vs-rashad-evans-from-fight-magazine.mma] His first fight under the contract took place on April 6, 2006 against Sam Hoger, who had been a semi-finalist on "The Ultimate Fighter 1". Evans defeated Hoger via split decision despite nearly falling victim to a kimura submission at the end of the second round. [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/not-enough-judges-choose-bonnar-over-jardine-4239]

Evans followed with a victory by majority decision over "The Ultimate Fighter 1" finalist Stephan Bonnar on June 28, 2006. Evans maintained control throughout the fight with repeated take downs, including a number of slams in the center of the cage and went on to win a split decision. [http://insidefights.com/2007/09/18/70563/] .

On September 23, 2006, Evans fought Jason Lambert on the "UFC 63" undercard. Lambert, riding an eight-fight win streak, was seen as Evans' first real test at 205 pounds. Evans controlled the fight from early on, and knocked Lambert out from mount in the second round. [http://www.griffonrawl-ohio.com/grwnews.php?do=view&id=69] It was his first stoppage victory in over two years.

Evans' next fight took place on January 25, 2007 in Hollywood, Florida against Sean Salmon, a highly decorated NCAA wrestler who competed on the Olympic circuit and was 9-1 in MMA. Though Salmon had won the first round by scoring two take downs, he eventually succumbed to a head kick delivered by Evans early in the second round for a knockout. Salmon remained motionless for several minutes after the fight and was eventually carried out on a stretcher to a local hospital. [http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/other_spotlight/article/0,2777,DRMN_23960_5321409,00.html]

At "UFC 73" Evans and Tito Ortiz fought to a draw as all three judges scored the bout 28-28. Ortiz had won two out of three rounds on all scorecards, but was deducted a point for holding onto the cage fence to defend against a takedown. [http://blogs.chron.com/fighting/2007/07/ufc_73_rashad_evans_and_tito_o.html] Immediately after the fight, Ortiz asked for a rematch. At a press conference following "UFC 73", UFC President Dana White promised a rematch [http://www.sportsline.com/mmaboxing/story/10250484/1] , but instead Evans went on to face "The Ultimate Fighter 3" winner Michael Bisping at UFC 78. Evans won the close match by split decision, giving Bisping his first professional loss.

Fight with Liddell

Evans was next scheduled to fight Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 as a replacement for the injured Mauricio Rua. When Chuck Liddell also pulled out of the event due to an injured hamstring, [http://ballhype.com/story/liddell_injured_ufc_85_fight_against_evans_cancelled/] Evans was matched with James Irvin. When Irvin pulled out after breaking his foot, the fight was removed from the card altogether. [http://www.mmaconvert.com/2008/05/21/irvin-breaks-foot-ufc-85-bout-with-evans-scrapped/]

This fight was then rescheduled for UFC 88 where Evans knocked Liddell out.The finish came at 1:51 of the second round. Evans flashed a jab that he followed quickly with a overhand right. At that moment, Liddell was throwing an uppercut, which came up short. Evans’ punch landed flush on Liddell’s chin. [http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/evans-knocks-out-liddell-14309] This knocked Liddell out and the fight was stopped immediately by referee Herb Dean. Liddell remained unconscious for approximately 2 and a half minutes. Evans was awarded knockout of the night and a bonus of $60,000. [http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=7049&zoneid=13]

After the fight UFC President Dana White confirmed in the post-event press conference that Evans will get an immediate title shot against champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 92. [http://mmajunkie.com/news/5231/ufc-88-winner-rashad-evans-granted-title-shot-with-forrest-griffin.mma]

Personal life

Rashad and his wife, LaToya, have one son, Rashad Jr. Rashad has a daughter, Tahja from a previous relationship.Rashad has a brother, Lance Evans, who is also a mixed martial artist and is competing as part of season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter. Lance Evans quit after the first round of the very first fight, due to a rib injury. [http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/category/lance-evans/]

Rashad has appeared on a Microsoft commercial, where he says the lines, "You got a problem with that!" and "I'm a PC!", while sparring with an unidentified opponent.

Mixed martial arts record

MMArecordbox
wins=14
losses=0
draws=1
ko-wins=4
ko-losses=0
sub-wins=2
sub-losses=0
dec-wins=6
dec-losses=0

References

External links

* [http://www.RashadEvans.tv Official Website]
* [http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=fighter.detail&pid=399 UFC profile]
*sherdog|id=10200|name=Rashad Evans