UFC
UFC middleweights Chael Sonnen, Chris Weidman emerge as options for Rashad Evans' next bout
Aug 3, 2012 - 1:00:48 PM UFC middleweights Chael Sonnen, Chris Weidman emerge as options for Rashad Evans' next bout

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Rashad Evans has been considering a drop to the middleweight division in the last couple of months, and it's an idea that seems to be gaining some steam. A coy Evans posted a picture of a staredown between himself and Chael Sonnen on Instagram, then simply smiled and walked away from Fuel TV's Ariel Helwani when asked about the picture.

However, that's not the only fight with intriguing possibilities for Evans in the middleweight division, as another option presented itself off the top of the head from UFC President Dana White. In a media scrum following Thursday's UFC on Fox 4 press conference, White was asked about Evans' next move, and he had an interesting idea pop up.

"Rashad? I dunno. Personally I haven't talked to Rashad. I've heard the talks of him wanting to go to 185 or possibly going to 185. I dunno. If he did, he'd have to fight somebody," White said (via BleacherReport.com. "Maybe you do Rashad vs. [Chris] Weidman and the winner of that gets a shot. You know what I mean? That just came off the top of my head."

Penick's Analysis: Evans said last month that he understood a move to middleweight would require a fight before getting a shot at the title, and both Sonnen and Weidman would make for a very big introduction into the division. Of course, Sonnen has also thrown out the possibility of moving up to light heavyweight, so a bout with Evans there could also be a possible reason for Evans' picture. White obviously wasn't up on any plans for that fight as of yet, but it's conceivable Joe Silva could have something worked up already. For Weidman, if he's not getting a title fight next, a bout with Evans would be huge for him, so that's definitely an intriguing option.

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