Evans out of Kennedy fight at UFC 206, says he’s not retiring

Another commission has refused to license Rashad Evans, which has removed him from his bout with Tim Kennedy again.

The strange circumstances surrounding the health of Rashad Evans took another turn today when he was removed from UFC 206. It appears that, like the New York State Athletic Commission for UFC 205, the Ontario Commission has chosen to not license Evans due to a medical issue. His expected opponent, Tim Kennedy, announced the news on an MMA Hour appearance earlier today:

“I’m not fighting Rashad. I found out yesterday. I think it’s brain damage. Welcome to the sport where we punch each other in the head. When you have to back-to-back athletic commissions not issuing you a license, I don’t know what that means for Rashad. It’s a slippery slope moving forward for him.”

MMA Fighting spoke to Evans’ manager Ali Abdel-Aziz, who says the Ontario Commission “doesn’t even like MMA”, but his client is okay:

“He’s fine, guys. Rashad is fine. There’s nothing wrong with him.”

Evans himself then took to Twitter, confirming that he’s out but saying he has no plans to retire:

Despite the latest news on not getting a license to fight in Toronto I am 100% healthy. I will not retire. Thank yuh for the support

— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) November 21, 2016

According to Kennedy, the UFC is looking for a replacement so he can still compete at UFC 206. Evans’ manager says the UFC is looking to get him on a card in early 2017.

Another commission has refused to license Rashad Evans, which has removed him from his bout with Tim Kennedy again.

The strange circumstances surrounding the health of Rashad Evans took another turn today when he was removed from UFC 206. It appears that, like the New York State Athletic Commission for UFC 205, the Ontario Commission has chosen to not license Evans due to a medical issue. His expected opponent, Tim Kennedy, announced the news on an MMA Hour appearance earlier today:

“I’m not fighting Rashad. I found out yesterday. I think it’s brain damage. Welcome to the sport where we punch each other in the head. When you have to back-to-back athletic commissions not issuing you a license, I don’t know what that means for Rashad. It’s a slippery slope moving forward for him.”

MMA Fighting spoke to Evans’ manager Ali Abdel-Aziz, who says the Ontario Commission “doesn’t even like MMA”, but his client is okay:

“He’s fine, guys. Rashad is fine. There’s nothing wrong with him.”

Evans himself then took to Twitter, confirming that he’s out but saying he has no plans to retire:

According to Kennedy, the UFC is looking for a replacement so he can still compete at UFC 206. Evans’ manager says the UFC is looking to get him on a card in early 2017.