The rift between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans has been ugly. The former friends and training partners had a falling out that began when Jones stepped into to replace an injured Evans at UFC 128. Jones replaced Evans in a title fight against light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
Jones positively destroyed Rua in that bout, earning the TKO victory at the 2:37 mark of round three on his way to becoming the youngest (non tournament) champion in UFC history.
Before Jones captured the title, both Jones and Evans stated that they would not fight each other. The tunes of the fighters had begun to change as UFC 128 approached. Evans was then brought into the Octagon moments after the UFC belt was clasped around Jones’ waist and he was announced as the first fighter that Jones would defend his title against.
“Well, I guess you should never say never, right?” Evans told Joe Rogan inside the Octagon. “We train together, but he’s got that strap, and I have to go after it.”
Since then Evans has split with Greg Jackson’s training camp where he had worked with Jones. He has also had some harsh words for his former friend, most recently claiming, in an interview with Pro MMA Radio, “There’s no doubt in my mind Jon ducked me in this fight. Jon knows it and I know it.”
The ducking claims revolve around a hand injury that forced Jones out of the fight with Evans. Phil Davis was then moved in to replace Evans and the two are scheduled to meet at UFC 133 in Philadelphia, PA on August 4.
Jones’ manager Malki Kawa disputes Evans’ claim, telling MMAJunkie.com that there is a fight on the table if Evans is willing to accept it, “The champ will be ready in September or October. That’s only a month or two after Rashad’s fight with Phil Davis. But don’t tell me that the champ doesn’t want to fight you. The champ wants to fight you. Jon hasn’t done anything to duck this fight. The only reason people think that is because Rashad said so. Jon’s not ducking anybody.”
If Evans emerges from the Davis fight relatively unscathed, an October fight with Jones is not out of the question. For reference Jones defeated Ryan Bader on February 5 of this year and then went on to defeat Rua on March 19.
Jones’ camp have taken their shot, a return volley from Evans will most likely be coming.
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