UFC
UFC 145's Rashad Evans says beating up Jon Jones more important than becoming two-time Champ
Mar 23, 2012 - 3:45:30 PM UFC 145's Rashad Evans says beating up Jon Jones more important than becoming two-time Champ

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Rashad Evans lost the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship back in May of 2009 to Lyoto Machida in what was and still is the only loss in his career. He's won four straight fights since that loss, but will now finally fight for the title once more when he takes on former training partner Jon Jones at UFC 145.

Recapturing the belt he once had is important to Evans, of course, but in a new blog at Yahoo! Sports ahead of the event, he says it's secondary to proving he's better than Jones.

"In one month, on April 21 in Atlanta, I'm getting my title back," Evans wrote, "but, to me, beating Jon Jones up and proving I am the better man and better fighter is even more important than waking up the next day as a two-time UFC champion."

Evans and Jones have been verbally sparring for the last year, ever since Evans split from Greg Jackson's camp in the wake of Evans breaking their supposed team agreement of not fighting one another. The relationship deteriorated quickly from there, and the two have had plenty to say about the other since. Ultimately, Evans is respectful of Jones' skills, but still thinks he's a stylistic nightmare for the young Champion.

"I heard a stat about Jon that he's never been taken down in the UFC," Evans said. "But I've taken him down plenty, and I know he can't fight off his back. I think my takedowns will be a key to this fight. I know Jon can take me down, too - he's done it - but I've taken down every single fighter I've ever wanted to get down, and I took Jon down time and time again in the gym. I think style-wise I am all wrong for him."

"I know Jon thinks he's better than me. He thinks he's better than everyone. What he don't understand is that it only matters who is better on the night. I've been in the UFC since 2005, and other than one night, I've been the better man on the night every time."

Evans thinks it comes down to who wants this fight more, and he believes that to be himself by a long shot.

"On April 21, at UFC 145, beating Jon Jones up means everything to me," he said. "I want to smash him up so bad. I want to be world champion again - but for this fight, beating up on Jon Jones means absolutely everything."

"I will beat his ass and then tell him that crying won't get him his belt back."

Penick's Analysis: Evans hasn't held anything back in his comments about Jones in the last year, and he clearly believes his wrestling game will be the deciding factor in this fight. So that brings up the question - if what Evans says of their training together is true, how much has Jones improved his takedown defense since? Will he be able to keep himself upright as Evans attempts to bully him and put him on the back throughout the fight? What does Evans have for Jones if he can't keep him on his back? This is a fantastic fight and an interesting matchup with a few variables, but even if Evans' wrestling comes into play, will it be enough for the phenomenal 24-year-old Champion. I'm highly skeptical that it can be, but maybe Evans truly does know something the rest of us don't. We'll find out one way or another in less than a month.

[Rashad Evans art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]