UFC returns to FOX this Saturday night with a huge event that will set the stage for a lot of big pay-per-view shows later on this year. The card is headlined by Rashad Evans taking on Phil Davis in a match that will determine the No. 1 contender for Jon Jones’ light heavyweight championship.
Evans has been the top contender for nearly two years, but injuries and timing have kept him from being able to cash in on the opportunity. He is putting up his title shot for the second time in four months against Davis.
Davis is in an interesting position coming into this fight. He is likely not in line for a title shot if he wins, but he can make a name for himself by defeating one of the top light heavyweight fighters in the world. This will be his second time headlining an event, after last March’s Fight Night in Seattle.
Where: United Center in Chicago, Illinois
When: Saturday, Jan. 28 at 5:00 p.m. EDT
Watch: Preliminary card starts at 5:00 p.m. EDT on Fuel TV, main card starts at 8:00 p.m. EDT on FOX
FIGHT CARD
Main Card
Light Heavyweight bout: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen
Middleweight bout: Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman
Preliminary Card
Lightweight bout: Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Heavyweight bout: Mike Russow vs. John-Olav Einemo
Bantamweight bout: Johnny Bedford vs. Mitch Gagnon
Featherweight bout: Cub Swanson vs. George Roop
Featherweight bout: Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Lightweight bout: Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
Heavyweight bout: Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson
Middleweight bout: Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby
Evans’ Keys To Victory
Don’t get caught in Davis’ guard and stay on top if the fight goes to the ground.
There is really only one way that Evans loses this fight: If Davis is able to work him to the ground and hold him there.
Evans is superior to him in every facet of the game, with the possible exception of wrestling. He has improved his striking dramatically over the last two years, and emerged as one of the most dynamic 205-pound fighters in the sport.
Davis’ Keys To Victory
Work the fight to the ground and use effective striking.
Davis’ wrestling has carried him to a 9-0 start to his career, but he has to start showing improvement in his stand-up ability if he wants to be a championship contender in UFC.
Evans is the biggest test Davis has faced as a mixed martial artist, and he will need every ounce of his wrestling ability to win this fight. This has the potential to be a star-making performance if he is able to win.
What They Are Saying
Rashad Evans and Phil Davis got into a heated argument during the UFC on FOX conference call last week because Davis actually had the nerve to suggest that he was going to beat Evans.
From Slam! Sports:
“Let’s get one thing straight, you aren’t beating me,” interjected Evans, who could be next in line for light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. “It can’t come fast enough. I’m going to smash you, dude. He isn’t ready and he knows he isn’t ready. When I look into his eyes, he isn’t ready. You’re just a boy.”
–snip–
“When you get hit in the mouth, things change. When you got hit by Li’l Nog (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira), you didn’t know what to do. When I hit you in the mouth, you’re going to feel it.”
The only person in the sport who can match Evans on the trash talk scale is Chael Sonnen, and he has been quiet, based on his standards, leading up to this show.
It’s a good thing that Evans is as good as he is, otherwise all that talk would make him look like a dork.
Undercard Fight To Watch: Johnny Beford vs. Mitch Gagnon
Being a bantamweight bout, you can expect these two fighters to come out fast and furious. Bedford is still trying to establish himself in the UFC. He was successful in his first fight at the Ultimate Fighter Finale last December with a third round TKO.
Gagnon is making his UFC debut after spending the last two years in Ringside MMA. He has an 8-1 career record with all his victories coming via submission, seven of them in the first round.
This fight should be a great technical battle between two up-and-coming 135-pound fighters.
Main Event Prediction
Evans will finally get his shot against Jon Jones by dismantling Davis.
Evans wins via second round knockout
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