Rashad Evans vs. Quinton Jackson Likely To Headline UFC 96
Rashad Evans
UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is likely to make his first title defense against former title-holder Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the main event of UFC 96 on March 7th in Columbus, Ohio, according to MMAMania.com.
Both fighters were last in action at UFC 92 on December 27th with Evans claiming the 205-pound strap from Forrest Griffin via third-round TKO in the evening’s main event, while Jackson scored a first-round knocked out rival Wanderlei Silva.
The headlining bout for UFC 96 has been a hot topic of discussion in recent days as the fight card rapidly filled but no main event worthy bouts were added. Speculation pointed towards Anderson Silva making a middleweight title defense, top draw Chuck Liddell facing a fellow 205-pounder, or Evans and Jackson meeting for the light heavyweight title, with the promotion apparently settling for the premier light heavyweight championship clash.
Keep in mind that this fight is not yet official and both fighters must still agree to quick turnarounds for an early-March return. However, with the promotion desperate to book a solid headlining bout it appears likely that the UFC will again promote a premiere main event in the Buckeye State, following past headliners Randy Couture vs. Tim Sylvia (UFC 68), Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin (UFC 77), and Anderson Silva vs. Dan Henderson (UFC 82).
Tags: Rashad Evans, Wanderlei Silva
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Good call Gun! MMAFrenzy.com meetup?
I’m tempted, but I’d rather actually be able to see what’s happening. Plus I need to keep my Rogan-false-kimura-sighting tally up-to-date.
i hear ya, Gunslinger!
eh wats going on here, tim sylvia vs randy?? i thought silva wa fighting leites, im confused haha,
Fights that have already happened in Ohio johnboy! They need to make up the false promised Oregon card. I was pumped to hear that and because of the Lesnar/Couture match-up, was moved to Vegas.
I don’t think this match should happen so soon after their december fights. I say book anderson or lidell, and have evans vs jackson in the spring or early summer so they can fill the card with better fights that will likely be more available for spring or summer.
me being dumb and not reading it all, my bad
Holy SHNIKES this card looks crazy if this happens.
i think that since both of them were in good shape after there fights they should fight ASAP…. its what fighters do, they fight… we want to see them fight… so what if the card wont be as stacked, you cant expect it to be stacked every fight night
this should make for a good fight too… i personally would like to see rampage take back the belt… rashad needs to lose at least once
i think Rambage will whop his ass! but if he doesn’t i will never, ever think any can beat evans until he losses twice. I am sick of being wrong about that guy!!!!!!!!!!!
i am a big evans fan…his last couple fights i have tried to convince others that he is the real deal…i have not predicted him to lose in any of his fights…but this one i am seriously thinking hard and long about…we will see….i like both guys…
rampages boxing is better than evans imo.
Guaranteed this won’t even happen. It’s most likely going to be Gonzaga vs. Carwin headlining. The UFC is going to take advantage of people who don’t mind dishing out a few hundred bucks on fights they don’t even know are going to happen. I wonder how many tickets were sold to fans banking on Liddell fighting. I bet they’re going to be pissed.
Who let the trolls out?
WHO!
WHO!
WHO!
Looks like we have a sucker.
gonzaga vs carwin will not headline!…the ufc would never do that….its gonna be evans vs rampage i gar-un-t it!…..evans hand speed,footwork,speed and wrestling will be to much for rampage….evans will beat him convincingly
I agree with you on this happening for sure instead the scrub fight of Gonzaga v. Carwin. Even though Evans should pull this fight out, I don’t think it will be convincingly. Evans will have the Midwest crowd on his side being a MSU alum. but Rampage really impressed me against Wandei. I expect a good fight but Evans pulling it out in the end!
thats bull crap
what about machida or tiago silva?
pexe…
are u saying that machida vs silva could headline a ppv!?!?!?
i sriously hope not…4rm a business perspective…that is completely insane!!!!
wow only being champ for 3 months?thats must be a record
Looking forward to it, and I don’t think its too quick of a turnaround.
mmafrenzy meet up, all for it. I will be there, already bought tickets. As the event gets a little closer maybe we can set something up.
Gotta be kidding!! Rampage has 5, 6 fights in UFC and this will be his 2nd title shot? That´s why i don´t believe in UFC´s criteria. Machida has earned the right to a title shot and UFC has not given him an opportunity. I wonder what they are gonna do after he beats Thiago Silva.
machida has not done anything…i want to see him defeat some quality opponents…then we will tlk title shot…
rampage has not had one easy fight in the ufc…he is always facing the top guys…
machida does not fight any real contenders…and don’t get me started on silva! lol
sorry, he has had an easy fight…eastman!
this is gonna be awesome
This is wrong…..Rampage should not be allowed to fight for the belt so soon – sorry….sure, Rampage vs Evans is the most exciting fight you could throw at Evans now – but Rampage has only fought once since he “lost” the belt (I still dont think Forrest did enough to win) but regardless….Rampage should have to fight atleast 1-2 more times before given the opportunity at the belt!!
Machida/Silva winner should be next in line! Both are 13-0 – so, they are obviously flawless…both winning in the UFC… they should be next… but whatever…I guess they’d rather book the fight that will sell more tickets than the fight where the challenger is the most deserving!!
Since when has it been about the most deserving? Sad, but true. It’s all about selling tickets.
Yeah, I knew this fight would happen after that K.O. of Wandi. Man I hate to even pick a winner I like both fighters and don’t want to see either lose but, someone has to. I usually would not go against Rampage but, personally I can’t go against an undefeated fighter in Shaad either.
Evans K.O. 2nd round
Wondering if these stellar cards in Columbus, Ohio are about showing NY what they are missing.
Evans is hard to like.
the great columbus cards have nothing to do with ny…ive stated it many times and still believe it ohio has the best mma fans in the world….the fans love when the ufc comes and the fans are always great its like japan but in america, the only time i ever hear them boo is when rich franklin’s opponent comes out!
Looks a super card it’s pity that 2 weeks earlier we get a dud of a card thanks in the UK Dana & Joe
This is a bad time to fight Page he looked excellent against Silva and has the best defence in the UFC i see Evans going to sleep very early good night squinty eyes
Striking defence that is
thats ok dana will get a little eye opener when its a flop, i know im not as well as many people i’ve talked to wont pay 50 bucks to watch those fights, best fight on card is chris lytle and marcus davis, see you jan 31st
I’m on about UFC 95 Ryan i should have said so really.
Some of you guys obviously dont know much about fighting, Ur crazy if you think Machida or Leites is more deserving of a title shot than a man who barely lost his belt by ONE point (most in attendance felt he didnt lose), and then came back and knocked a legends head off in his first fight back! He is clearly deserving of being the number one contender. Between Machida and Leites combined I only see 3 notable victories, which were all by Machida. He beat an old Tito Ortiz, who needed back surgery at the time, Bj Penn, who was fighting 50 pounds above his normal weight class, and a young Rich Franklin. Both fighters are good, but it would be very hard to make a legitimate complaint for either! And honestly, Machida as of recent, has been extremely hard to watch. No one outside of hardcore fans would want to see that.
Not to be too much of a dicck but what weight class is Thales Leites in again??? Not knowing much about fighting and all I thought I’d ask, cheers
Lol, my apologies. SILVA, had a name fart. But he probably will remain irrelevant after Machida beats him in a very slow pace fight
No worries, I just kinda had too
cheers,
rampage doesn’t even doeserves chance already he loses title now winning one fight he al ready get rchance back at title? but i hope he knocks him out
He lost a decision, then knocked out Wandi in impressive fashion. Who else should he have to fight to get a shot? Should have 3 fights? 5? 22? How many?
thank you dbiz…
rampage deserves it…
machida n silva have defeated ooponents who are not top 10 in the lhw div….
Plus he lost a very close decision, defended the title against Hendo, and with Forrest breaking his hand who else should he fight??? He deserves a title match imo… And there is no one else that is the avaliable #2 contender other than Quinton, I do hope this fight headlines the Ohio card, first main event that involves two black guys and plus for the title kinda awesome..
I haven’t decided yet but I’m leaning towards crazy pants Jackson…
I agree, But I think Evans will get the job done, Rampage will struggle against someone who is not gonna stand and trade with him.
I do agree Rampage does deserve a shot after the very close decision with Forrest. But also, if Machida defeats Silva, he deserves the next shot. Although it was 3 and 5 years ago, Machida has defeated BJ Penn and Rich Franklin. Many LHW fighters have been quoted as saying they do not want to fight Machida because he is a dangerous fighter. A lot of mma fans do not like watching him fight so it may not sell tickets. I am one that does and would love to see him get a chance at the top LHW fighters.
willy d, Machida is talented and I actually enjoy his style, yet please dont bring up the fact that he “beat” BJ Penn com’on long time ago and quite a weight difference but whatever.. People dislike Lyoto’s style but he is getting quite close to a title shot… I would like for him to get a win over a #10 LHW first but we shall see after he fight Thiago (which is going to be a fight,Thiago is going to attack Machida forsure), and perhaps if Rich wins v Hendo, F that either win or lose against Hendo, Franklin should face Machida, I think that would make people happy….
Anyways crazy pants Jackson deserves this fight and it will be a hell of fight, i hope it gets signed soon, and a 3month turn around isnt tooo quick for these fighters as a matter of fact its about the norm…
Fr702, I was just throwing out the Penn fight, that’s why I said it was 3 years ago, not the fighters they are today. Penn, Anderson, and Machida are my 3 fav fighters, so I would never rub it in that Machida beat Penn. I am looking forward to Thiago coming after Machida, put him in a position no one has. If Machida doesn’t get the next shot, would be great to see him fight Franklin again. Pretty much any one of the top 10 LHW’s, except Jardine. IMO, that would not be an exciting fight.
U guys, say Rampage dont deserve a shot at the title? look at Brock
wow…. now this is the fight iv been waiting for… this one could go either way… and anyone saying rampage dont deserve a title shot is smoking crack! in my opion he never lost his title in the first place he won 3 of the 5rds to forrest!
Except he really didn’t. But you’re a noob and missed that three months of debate. Move on.
Rampage deserved a rematch against Forrest after that shady win. IMO, Forrest didn’t “beat” Rampage, and thus I figured the rematch inevitable. Then Rampage goes on a rampage and gets sidelined. This fight (whehter against Forrest or Rashad) needed to happen the second Wandy’s face ran into Rampage’s left hand. Having bought ticket’s, my buddies and I were worried that the 8 hour drive to Columbus might be for a Fight Night worthy card, but this fight would be HUGE!!!!! And really if you think about it, it’s the only fight that makes sense (unless you put Mir/Lesnar on the card).
I am one of Rampages biggest supporters, but he lost that fight to Forrest. Who ever is the biggest draws gets the title shot. Sorry but Loyoto Machida doesn’t really put butts every 18 inches.
Maybe, maybe not. To me, you nead to beat a champ to get the belt, and Forrest didn’t decisively beat him. Maybe it was a draw (can they do that?). But sadly, Machida won’t fill many seats either, so either Lyoto loses and gets out of the picture or put on a big undercard. But I don’t think he’ll lose to Thiago. He’ll be on UFC 100 as LHW contender.
^^^^is that you sizing up with wandi? if so you should have duct and thrown a left hook…lol jk too soon…agh now i feel bad srry wandi
Yeah, that was cool meeting Wandi. The guy’s a true gentleman outside the ring/cage. I figured for sure he would destroy Rampage again; a $20 bet sure. Then I saw Rampage’s look on the way to the cage and realized I might just lose my $20. That punch pained me to see; especially since 12 guys were at my house where that wonderful 9X10 rests. But I’m also a huge Rampage fan, so it eased the pain a bit.
Great fight! finally get 2 c that cocky sob get knocked the #$%@ out please Rampage shut that foo up
English or STFU. You make my brain hurt.
i cant see this fight happening in march i give it may and also a tuff one to call good matchup
i know it’s a long shot but what about Rampage vs Liddell one more time?