Three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen is the poster boy for using social media to get the best fights available inside the Octagon.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that he issued a friendly challenge to FUEL TV co-anchor Rashad Evans early on Friday morning—and it didn’t take long for “Suga” to sign off on the matchup:
@sonnench @rossfinkelstein that looks like a good idea to me! I knew you had something you really wanted to say to me yesterday on the show!
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) August 30, 2013
“The American Gangster” had been hoping to finally settle the score with long-time rival Wanderlei Silva. However, UFC president Dana White recently revealed that nagging injuries would prevent “The Axe Murderer” from training until January, according to MMA Junkie.
Fresh off a decisive submission win over ex-UFC light heavyweight champ Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night 26, it looked as though Sonnen was on a collision course with Phil Davis at the November pay-per-view, per Bloody Elbow.
However, the Team Reign Training Center fighter apparently had no interest in that matchup and has since decided to try his luck against another former 205-pound titleholder.
Evans, one of the co-founders of the Blackzilian training camp in Boca Raton, Florida, has won five of his past seven bouts. He most recently defeated Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in June.
There could be a revenge factor in a scrap between Evans and Sonnen, as Henderson is a long-time friend and training partner of “Uncle Chael.”
While Sonnen is just 3-3 in his past six bouts, his losses came to Anderson Silva (twice) and light heavyweight champ Jon Jones. The Oregonian is 8-1 in his past nine non-title fights.
With an agreement in place via social media, will Evans vs. Sonnen co-headline UFC 167?
The event is set for November 16 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the evening’s headliner being a welterweight title bout between Georges St-Pierre and Johnny Hendricks.
John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com.
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