Chael Sonnen wanted to co-main event the UFC 167 card as a part of the UFC’s 20th anniversary show, and he’ll get his wish as he faces another former light heavyweight champion in November.
Sonnen confirmed during the Fox Sports 1 pre-fight show ahead of UFC Fight Night 28 in Brazil that he will face Rashad Evans in November in a light heavyweight contest.
“The most well-dressed man, future Hall of Famer, former world champion Rashad Evans,” Sonnen said during the pre-show. “He will be fighting on Nov. 16 against the man with the biggest arms, the greatest charms and does all the harm. You simply know him as Chael P.”
Sonnen was lobbying hard for the UFC 167 card ever since he tapped out former light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC Fight Night 26, which helped launch the Fox Sports 1 network.
Originally, Sonnen appeared ready to face Pride legend Wanderlei Silva in a grudge match after the two fighters had exchanged words for each other a number of times in different interviews.
Unfortunately, Silva is suffering from a back injury that will keep him out of action until at least January 2014, so that eliminated him from fighting Sonnen in November.
Instead, Sonnen turned his attention to a good friend and co-worker in Evans, who he routinely shares space with during the Fox Sports pre- and post-shows as well as UFC Tonight (which Sonnen co-hosts).
Evans was more than happy to accept, and he will look to tack another win on his record when he faces Sonnen following his last win over Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in June.
Sonnen and Evans will battle at 205 pounds in a fight that is expected to serve as the co-main event on the UFC 167 fight card.
The main event will pit welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre against current top contender Johny Hendricks in a battle for the 170-pound title.
More fights for the UFC 167 fight card are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the UFC moves closer toward the celebration of 20 years in business as the top MMA promotion in the world.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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