Rashad Evans' next fight may likely be against Alexander Gustafsson, as "Sugar" expressed his intent to face the Swedish sensation. According to the former light heavyweight champion, he is highly impressed with "The Mauler" most recent performances.
Rashad Evans' next fight has yet to be scheduled, since he has been out of action for almost a year already. The former 205-pound champion last saw competed inside the Octagon in November 2013 against former title contender and UFC fighter Chael Sonnen. Evans won via first round technical knockout.
Injuries, however, have kept him on the sidelines, and consequently, the landscape of the UFC's 205-pound rankings. While he still sits at the number three spot, the likes Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony "Rumble" Johnson have been battling it out for the number one contender spot.
Unfortunately for "Rumble", his hopes for a UFC belt has been derailed once again, after the company suspended him indefinitely due to domestic violence.
The recent turn of events has opened the idea of Rashad Evans' next fight to be against Gustafsson, as a replacement for Johnson. "Sugar" himself has requested for the fight.
"I've been very impressed with how his development has gone," Evans said in a report by MMA Junkie. "I would definitely like to fight him when I return. Definitely."
Rashad Evans' next fight, which may possibly be against "The Mauler", has yet to be finalized, but he is looking at the first quarter of 2015 for his return. Gustafsson, on the other hand, has been on a rampage since his entry into the UFC in 2009.
In his five-year stint with the company, he holds a record of 8-2. His most recent loss was during his title fight against reigning champion Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 165 in September 2013. While he did end up defeated, it was believed to be the worst beating Jones had ever received in his entire career.
"The Mauler's" UFC performance has earned Evans' respect, and this was one of the primary reasons why the latter was clamoring for the said match-up.
"When I left, I was at the top and Alexander Gustafsson has been getting better with every single fight," Evans stated. "Dana (White), set it up."
