After a bout fight between champ Jon ‘Bones’ Jones (13-1) and former teammate Rashad Evans (15-1-1) failed to happen because Jones opted to have surgery to his hand for an old injury, surgery which didn’t occur after the champ consulted a second physician. Fans were left extremely disappointed that both fighters wouldn’t be allowed to take their personal feud into the Octagon.
Fans now have something to get excited over as Jones announced to MMAjunkie.com on Thursday that he would be fighting Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson (32-8) next. Jackson was named as one of two possible opponents, Lyoto Machida being the other, by UFC President Dana White as the next light heavyweight contender.
“I’ll be fighting Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson next. I’m not allowed to discuss the date because I didn’t sign a contract, but yeah, it will be very soon.”
In another article by MMAMania.com, sources close to one of the fighters told them that both men are being penciled in for the main event of UFC 135 which is rumored to happen on Sept. 24 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
Despite all of the verbal feuding between Jones and Evans, ‘Rampage’ has a personality all his own that could potentially create a lot of interest between himself and the current champ. I’m certain that Jackson’s colorful past with Evans, the two do not like each other, will also be played out in the media.
Evans is currently scheduled to face Phil ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Davis at UFC 133 on Aug. 6, a win for him would certainly set ‘Suga’ up as the next No. 1 contender again. A story line featuring him, and either Jones or Jackson, would be just as exciting out of the Octagon as in.