"Sugar" Interview

T-Bone · 04-08-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

In March Rashad Evans (11-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) received a call from UFC matchmaker Joe Silva, who offered him the chance to fight Chuck Liddell (21-5) in place of the injured Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Evans jumped at the chance to fight the former UFC light heavyweight champion in what is now the main event of "UFC 85: Liddell vs. Evans."

Since winning "The Ultimate Fighter 2," Evans has gone two years without a loss in the UFC, and he recognizes that in this sport, you need to make the most of opportunities when they present themselves.

MMAjunkie.com (MMA blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps - MMAjunkie.com) recently had a chance to speak with "The Ultimate Fighter 2" champion and Team Jackson fighter as he begins preparations for an eight-week camp that leads up to the fight.

Evans, who will fight in a main event for the second consecutive event, takes on Liddell June 7. The event takes place at the 02 Arena in London, England, and airs on pay-per-view.

Evans spoke about a number of topics, including a game plan for the "Iceman," fans' perceptions of "The Ultimate Fighter," and his feelings about possibly fighting Team Jackson teammate Keith Jardine in the future.

MMAjunkie.com: Chuck Liddell has quite a good record against opponents who are known as wrestlers. You are a guy with a strong wrestling base. What do you have to do differently to be successful against Liddell?

Rashad Evans: With Chuck you have to fight at different levels. You have to compete where he can compete as well as do your own thing. To get great shots, it's going to be about transitions and timing.

MMAjunkie.com: Your teammate Keith Jardine had a solid game plan against Liddell when they fought in September. How much are you going to be able to take away from training with Jardine?

Rashad Evans: Keith and I have very different fighting styles, so I'll have to approach it differently than Keith did, but there are things that we look for with Chuck.

MMAjunkie.com: Speaking of Keith Jardine, have you been training with him in preparation for his upcoming fight with Wanderlei Silva?

Rashad Evans: Yes, I've trained with him in New Mexico. I'm actually headed back next week to start camp for my fight that will last for eight weeks.

MMAjunkie.com: If you are successful in your fight against Liddell, how far do you feel you would be away from a light heavyweight title shot?

Rashad Evans: That's hard to say. It's up to the UFC. They have their reasons, and I really don't think about it because it might not come when I think it should, and I want to keep a positive attitude. [The light heavyweight division] is so deep right now. Keith is in position, and there are any number of guys that could get it done on any given night.

MMAjunkie.com: In hindsight, was it the right move for you to drop to light heavyweight?

Rashad Evans: Yes. I'd honestly have it no other way. I want to fight the best fighters.

MMAjunkie.com: Along those lines, where do you rank yourself in the light heavyweight division?

Rashad Evans: No. 1. That's how it has to be. If I go into a fight thinking my opponent is better than I am, I'm already defeated.

MMAjunkie.com: As an alumnus of "The Ultimate Fighter" television show, do you feel there are times you don't get the respect you deserve from some MMA fans?

Rashad Evans: Some people have an attitude. They act as if I was just given something without working for it. Overall the show was great for me. It was an opportunity, and I took it. I worked hard and made it to the UFC. Honestly I think I could have made it without the show.

MMAjunkie.com: I think some people might forget not everyone from the show makes it to the UFC.

Rashad Evans: Exactly. Some people don't take advantage of the opportunity and don't make it. Some people work very hard and do.

MMAjunkie.com: The phone rings. It's Joe Silva. There has been an injury, and he needs someone to fight Keith Jardine for the No. 1 contender's spot. What do you tell him?

Rashad Evans: I tell him thank you but no.

MMAjunkie.com: Really?

Rashad Evans: Keith is my friend. I value our friendship, and we have accomplished so much together. I just wouldn't want to do it. Plus, he knows all my secrets, and I know all of his.

MMAjunkie.com: Any shout-outs for your supporters or sponsors?

Rashad Evans: Yes, I'd like to thank TapouT for always being so good to me, and the guys at Unbreakable Mouthpieces.

Rashad Evans readies for the "Iceman" -- An MMAjunkie.com Interview - MMAjunkie.com

The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell · 04-08-2008, 11:49 AM

Pretty good interview. He is still going down... hard..

T-Bone · 04-08-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell

Pretty good interview. He is still going down... hard..

I don't hate Rashad or anything but I'm glad he's fighting Chuck - I wouldn't mind seeing Rashad paying his dues with a loss and seeing Chuck's ground game again.

StratTone · 04-08-2008, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The-Iceman-Chuck-Liddell

Pretty good interview. He is still going down... hard..

Agreed! ;-)

Mickey Finn · 04-10-2008, 03:58 AM

i dont mind rashads antics, but i dont rate him that highly. decent interview from him though

KRONOS · 04-10-2008, 12:27 PM

It's time for Rash to get his ass KTFO!

Chucky all the way baby!!!

Gooner · 04-10-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KRONOS

It's time for Rash to get his ass KTFO!

Chucky all the way baby!!!

Record stuck much?

Rashad's bound to lose one day fighting at the top level, but I've enjoyed him disappointing you over and over again.

GSPALLTHEWAY · 04-10-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

Record stuck much?

Rashad's bound to lose one day fighting at the top level, but I've enjoyed him disappointing you over and over again.

yeah, by laying on them and doing nothing... thats why most cant stand him... he wins, great job... he still only has one impressive win over lambert

OneBigThrow · 04-10-2008, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Rashad's bound to lose one day fighting at the top level, but I've enjoyed him disappointing you over and over again.

same here

Gooner · 04-10-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

yeah, by laying on them and doing nothing... thats why most cant stand him... he wins, great job... he still only has one impressive win over lambert

Says the Tito-fan... lawl.

Saskabush · 04-10-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSPALLTHEWAY

yeah, by laying on them and doing nothing... thats why most cant stand him... he wins, great job... he still only has one impressive win over lambert

What about the high kick to Salmon? That was a highlight reel KO.

I'm taking Rashad by split decision.

marnold · 04-10-2008, 04:33 PM

In truth, what I like most about Rashad is his friendship and loyalty to Jardine.

Scarecrow · 04-10-2008, 05:05 PM

He's a great guy, has a great attitude, and deserves everything he has achieved. The only thing that will hurt him is his hesitancy in the ring. Chuck has a way of finding and exploiting weaknesses.

MTKrav911 · 04-10-2008, 05:57 PM

I honestly am beginning to think that Chuck is pissed off about things. NOt being champ, etc.

Fighting Rashad while PO'd is not a good thing for Rashad.

Not good at all.

KRONOS · 04-10-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

Record stuck much?

Rashad's bound to lose one day fighting at the top level, but I've enjoyed him disappointing you over and over again.

Yep...I know you have enjoyed him disappointing me over and over again by the LnP technique, but the day that he falls I hope he falls HARD and I will be there to watch the whole thing. SLAP SLAP!!!

I hope Chuck puts that ass to sleep!

NWCrazy · 04-10-2008, 11:49 PM

You're all going be wondering what happened after Rashad beats Chuck.

I just don't see Chuck as anything more than a boxer trying to go against someone that can box, wrestle, and take him down. Sure, Chuck has other skills; but under battlefield conditions, he's just gonna try to out punch Rashad. And Rashad is gonna pick him up and slam him. Then ground and pound.

opsy · 04-11-2008, 03:56 AM

He gassed against Tito and Bisping. He couldn't take either down while they were fresh. Bisping also outstruck him. But crazier things have happened.

NateRupe · 04-11-2008, 04:38 AM

I've never been a Rashad fan but he is a pretty damn loyal friend, I don't think he'll beat Chuck because wrestler's are Chuck's specialty.

NWCrazy · 04-11-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rush-pwns-Opsy

He gassed against Tito and Bisping. He couldn't take either down while they were fresh. Bisping also outstruck him. But crazier things have happened.

Those were different fights and fighters. Still Rashad came out with a win and a draw.

I'm not a big fan of Rashad but I do think that he'll either pulverize Liddell or he'll win it in a boring fashion. For some strange reason, fighters like Rashad and Machida will sometimes do just enough to win. But they win.

hambone · 04-16-2008, 11:03 PM

Good night Rashad, sleep tight. Don't let the octagon bugs bite.

btw CHUCK by KO in 1st.no way Rashad takes him down and keeps him down, I mean it's CHUCK, c'mon man.