MMA Blog

With tons of speculation running about over who was going to replace the injured Mauricio “Shogun” Rua the suspense is finally over. MMA Weekly is reporting that Rashad Evans has stepped up to fight Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 . The word was that undefeated Rashad (16-0-1) was going to be facing undefeated Thiago Silva (11-0-0) in an undercard fight on UFC 84 with B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk as the main event. I personally was very interested in the Silva/Evans fight as I thought it would be a war. Now we have a whole new war. What factors into this new fight?

Rashad Evans has 11 straight wins with 6 decisions, 1 draw, 2 submissions (early in his career) and 3 KO/TKO’s. He has a wrestler background , winning the National Junior College championship at 165 lb and later at Michigan State had a 48-34 record. He won the Heavyweight division on the Ultimate Fighter season 2 and since has fought in the UFC 6 times.

Although Rashad has a good record he has been questioned for his ability to finish fights. He fought to decision with Brad Imes, Sam Hoger and Stephan Bonner mostly due to his wrestling. He was impressive in a TKO win over Jason Lambert and a devestating head kick to Sean Salmon leading people to believe he finally found his ability to end a fight. Then there was a draw with Tito Ortiz and another decision with Michael Bisping.

Chuck Liddell’s record is well known at 21-5-0 with wins over such fighters as Kevin Randleman, Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, Babalu Sobral, Jeff Monson, Jeremy Horn, Wanderlei Silva and of course Tito Ortiz twice. Chucks only losses came at the hands of Jeremy Horn, Randy Couture (both avenged by later wins) , twice to Rampage Jackson and then a decision loss to Rashads teammate Keith Jardine. He has knockout power from his hands and feet, great take down defense and a great ability to punish anyone who chases him.

Where does this fight go? Rashad has greatly improved striking ability but nowhere near Chucks level. He will most likely go to his bread and butter, takedowns. Chuck has faced the best take down artists in Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture among others and has done quite well. I don’t see this as being a threat. Rashad has never been knocked out but then again no one like Chuck has ever tested it. I have often thought of Michael Bisping like a younger Chuck Liddel in fighting style (not as good yet for sure) and Rashad looked particularly ineffective in his fight with a less experienced and smaller striker.

How is he going to stand up to Chuck? The same way his friend Keith Jardine did. A very smart gameplan! Can he do it? Does he have the tools that Jardine does against a striker? I don’t think so. If he does have a chance he needs to be patient and wear the Iceman down. I don’t see Chuck underestimating his opponent like I think he did in Jardine.

But this is MMA and in this game if you work hard, come prepared and give it all you have anything can happen!

Filed under: Chuck Liddell, Mauricio Rua, Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva