Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Is Rashad Evans being too dramatic in his split from Greg Jackson's camp, or is he justified in his feelings? Perez, Hobaugh, Marsh, Williams and Hyden
Mar 25, 2011 - 2:35:39 PM

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Is Rashad Evans just in his feelings on Greg Jackson and camp, or is he being too dramatic in the context of being a professional fighter?

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Last time I checked, you get paid to fight, no matter who it is.  This is a sport.  Rashad Evans is being overly dramatic.  If this were the NFL and both Rashad Evans and Jon Jones played for the same team in college, and now are opponents on the playing field, you think Evans or Jones would say "no I can't play in this game because I don't want to face my friend."  It's a business, and as long as fighters are getting paid (Evans being one of the most well-paid when he fights) then there should be no issues.  Evans needs to man up, and take whatever fight is available when offered.  You can still be friends (Matt Hughes and Sean Sherk for example) but you need to get your head re-examined and "man up" as they say.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

He is only pumping up the fight. He is doing his best to gain attention.  I feel like Greg Jackson clearly outlined the fact he would not corner one fighter over the other if they ever fought.  I believe this is standard operating procedure when a great trainer like Jackson has two fighters fighting for the same belt. Rashad is an emotional fighter, speaking with his heart. It sounds to me like Rashad is upset with the fact that Jones would take a fight against him. Once the fight Is over they will both return to Jackson's camp.

GRIFFIN MARSH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Call me cliche but doesn't it sound like Rashad is... scared?  I mean, at this point, IF things really went down the way it did, wouldn't Rashad be foaming at the mouth to take this fight?  Instead we hear how good he knows Jones is and then he rips into Greg Jackson openly in the media.  I think Rashad knows it's a fight he can't win.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Too dramatic.  I'm still not sure why he got so upset.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I can see both sides of this. I understand Rashad's feelings, but this is a business. Sometimes you have to fight guys you would rather not. I don't think Rashad is being disrespected by Greg Jackson and Jon Jones agreeing to fight Rashad if the UFC wants it. I just consider that to be good for business. It might not be ideal for Rashad, but it's something he should have wanted.

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