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UFC News: Rashad Evans Says Greg Jackson Only Cares About Greg Jackson

This just in: Don’t expect top UFC light heavyweight title contender Rashad Evans and renowned MMA head coach Greg Jackson to exchange Christmas cards this year. In a recent interview with MMA Weekly, Evans held nothing back when talking about what cau…

This just in: Don’t expect top UFC light heavyweight title contender Rashad Evans and renowned MMA head coach Greg Jackson to exchange Christmas cards this year.

In a recent interview with MMA Weekly, Evans held nothing back when talking about what caused the riff between him and his now former coach.

Like I told Greg at the time, I told Greg I don’t think it would be a good idea, but Greg did what Greg wanted to do for Greg, Evans said, recalling when UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones was recruited by Jackson.

Evans felt the move was selfish on Jackson’s part and indicated that was not a unique instance either.

That’s the thing about him. Greg talks about “for the team, for the team.” The team consists of “I” which is Greg Jackson. That’s what the team consists of, it’s about Greg Jackson getting the “Coach of the Year” awards. That’s what it consists of, Evans said.

Evans, who left Jackson’s MMA after Jones won the title from Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128, seems to be the only fighter who has a negative opinion of how Jackson runs his gym.

Nevertheless, don’t expect “Suga” to backtrack on his stance anytime soon.

“I wouldn’t bring myself with somebody that I knew would be a contender,” Evans stated. “I would never put myself in that position again.”

Since leaving Greg Jackson’s camp, Evans has been training in the Boca Raton, Florida based “Blackzilians” team.

He formed with the school with the help of disgruntled former American Top Team fighters who left their camp due to undisclosed management issues.

Evans and Jones will finally settle their beef in the main event of this weekend’s UFC 145 card after seeing the potential bout sidelined twice before (via MMA Junkie).

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UFC on FUEL TV 2 Results: 5 Fights for Alexander Gustafsson to Take Next

Fast-rising superstar Alexander Gustafsson has done a good job of making the UFC take notice of his tremendous skills. Utilizing a lengthy reach that prevented Thiago Silva from working his way inside, Gustafsson came out on top in the main event …

Now sitting firmly in the Top 10, the young Swede has put together an impressive 6-1 record against hefty competition inside the Octagon.

Not only that, but with the event selling out in only three hours, Gustafsson proved to Zuffa brass that he has drawing power in European markets.

When a fighter produces results in the cage and at the gates, you’d better believe that Joe Silva takes notice. Gustafsson is on the verge of another step up in competition for his next fight. Here is a look at five options for that contest.

Note: Many fans are already calling for Gustafsson to get a title shot or No. 1 contender bout for his next fight. I promise you that neither of those options are on this list. Thiago Silva was unranked at the time of yesterday’s fight, as were all of Gustafsson’s former opponents. Gustafsson may or may not be ready for such an immense challenge, and if you need an example of a prospect that got pushed too far too soon, look no further than Phil Davis and his anemic performance against Rashad Evans earlier this year.

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Shogun Rua Wants to Coach TUF, Interested in Facing Lyoto Machida Again

Although his bout with Quntion “Rampage” Jackson is currently on hold, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is still interested in pursuing other matchups, including a third bout with Lyoto Machida. The two light heavyweights previously met at UFC 104 and UFC 11…

Machida walked away with the controversial split-decision in their first meeting, while Rua would rebound and knock out “The Dragon” in their second encounter to win the UFC light heavyweight title.

Rua told Brazilian website Portal Vale Tudo (Translated via MMAMania.com) that he is willing to face Machida after a coaching stint opposite of the Japanese-Brazilian on “The Ultimate Fighter”.

“Of course it is my great desire to do a TUF, which is a program where people see everything that passes the fighter,” Rua said. “Lyoto would make it even more interesting, is a top category, and consider how good this third fight, will sell a lot.”

While neither fighter has a scheduled opponent in the near future, the idea of seeing a third bout between Rua and Machida is possible. Some fans believe Rua won the first bout decisively; however, there is justification for Machida being awarded the victory.

The UFC has already aired the inaugural season of TUF: Brazil featuring Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva as coaches, and the reality television show has become a success overseas.

Rua said he won’t pick and choose his opponents, but he does have a desire to meet Machida once more and finish their trilogy.

“I fight anyone. I want that belt back, so I cannot choose opponent,” he said. “But surely it would be great to face Lyoto.”

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Shogun Rua Awaiting Next Fight, Hopes to Fight in Brazil

While Quinton “Rampage” Jackson currently sits out and undergoes surgery, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua remains without an opponent in the meantime.Rua, who is coming off a loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 139, is seeking a return to the Octagon and he hopes to pe…

While Quinton “Rampage” Jackson currently sits out and undergoes surgery, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua remains without an opponent in the meantime.

Rua, who is coming off a loss to Dan Henderson at UFC 139, is seeking a return to the Octagon and he hopes to perform within the coming months, preferably in his native land of Brazil at UFC 147.

“I might fight in June or July, that’s when I hope to fight, but for now there’s no opponent in mind,” Rua told TATAME.com. “I dream about being part of this card, even because it’s a huge event. I would really like to be a part of it.”

The Brazilian’s last trip to South America resulted in a successful outcome as he knocked out Forrest Griffin within the opening minutes of the first round at UFC 133.

Rua had been originally scheduled to face Jackson later this year, and was offered a rematch against Henderson, but both fights have been scrapped momentarily.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion said he isn’t the type to pick and choose opponents, however, he does intend on fighting this year.

“I rather wait. It’s hard to pick an opponent out like that. I rather not chose,” he said. “Sometime they have to replace your opponent and that’s frustrating for us as athletes, so I fight anyone.”

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Dan Henderson Denies Turning Down Rematch With Shogun Rua

Dan Henderson is being constantly pursued for a rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.The two light heavyweight contenders competed in a highly competitive bout at UFC 139, which saw Henderson walk away with the victory. And according to UFC Presiden…

Dan Henderson is being constantly pursued for a rematch with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The two light heavyweight contenders competed in a highly competitive bout at UFC 139, which saw Henderson walk away with the victory.

And according to UFC President Dana White, Henderson has refused to match up with the Brazilian once again.

White spoke to Strikeforce commentator Mauro Ranallo at the UFC press conference last week in Calgary and said he attempted to put Henderson and Rua in the co-main event of UFC 149.

“Yeah, I was trying to put together Dan Henderson vs. Shogun II and Henderson doesn’t want to do the fight,” White said. “He wants Anderson Silva, if Silva wins, he will make that cut. Otherwise, he wants to fight the winner of Rashad and Jones.”

Henderson responded to White’s claims on Twitter.

“If Dana said it then out must be true. Lol,” Henderson wrote.

Henderson has repeatedly stated he wants to challenge for a UFC championship, whether it is at 205 pounds or 185 pounds, and he said he would even hold out for the winner.

Henderson’s decision does not necessarily affect his status in the company, but it does prevent other fighters from competing for an opportunity at a title shot and makes the light heavyweight division become stagnant.

Considering Henderson’s age, he doesn’t intend on staying around in the sport much longer, so a title bout makes sense, especially while his stock is high.

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Dana White Says Dan Henderson Turned Down a Rematch with Shogun

For what was one of the best fights of 2011 between Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, MMA fans would have been down to see the two light heavyweight legends do it all over again.Too bad Henderson didn’t want it, according to a recent interview t…

For what was one of the best fights of 2011 between Dan Henderson and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, MMA fans would have been down to see the two light heavyweight legends do it all over again.

Too bad Henderson didn’t want it, according to a recent interview that UFC president Dana White did with The Score’s Mauro Ranallo.

“I was trying to put together Dan Henderson versus Shogun II (for UFC 149), and Henderson doesn’t want to do the fight,” White said at a recent UFC press conference in Canada. “Henderson wants to wait for the winner of either Jon “Bones” Jones and Rashad Evans or Anderson Silva. He wants Anderson Silva. If Silva wins, he’ll make that cut. Otherwise, he wants to fight the winner of Rashad and Jones.”

Henderson defeated Shogun at UFC 139 in November. The back-and-forth war saw both fighters dominate the action at different points in the fight, and the end result left Henderson with a very close unanimous decision win.

Preceding that victory were impressive knockout wins over Fedor Emelianenko, Renato Sobral and Rafael Cavalcante. His win over “Feijao” won him the Strikeforce light heavyweight title.

The loss to Hendo was Rua’s third loss in his last five bouts. His only wins since 2010 have come against Lyoto Machida and Forrest Griffin, both of which were rematches. In fact, Rua is 4-0 in rematches.

Former champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is facing Rua on an undetermined date, but he will have to undergo double knee surgeries first.

Reigning light heavyweight champion Jones will be defending his title against Evans in April at UFC 145. Middleweight champ Silva will defend his title against Chael Sonnen in a rematch of their 2009 fight in June. Silva defeated Henderson at UFC 82.

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