KEY POINTS
- Rashad Evans is setting things up for a potential return
- The former UFC champ is considering Anderson Silva and Roy Jones Jr. as possible opponents
- Silva and Jones both have different plans
A UFC legend could be working on a possible return with a plan to take on a big name in the sport.
Comebacks have been quite a trend in combat sports in recent times. Following former UFC champion Anderson Silva’s win over Julio Cezar Chavez Jr. on Saturday, Rashad Evans is now setting his sights on a potential return, Middleeasy reported, citing unnamed sources.
International Business Times could not independently verify this information.
Evans has long been linked to a comeback, and it appears that “Sugar” is taking a step closer to making it a reality this time, targeting Silva and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. as possible opponents, the report said.
The 41-year-old spent the best years of his career in MMA, but the report noted that he’s eyeing for a boxing match in his return.
However, Evans might have to lure Silva as it is believed that the Brazilian is open to discussing a deal with Gamebred Fighting Championship, a bare knuckle MMA promotion founded by UFC star Jorge Masvidal, the report added.
Jon Jones and Rashad Evans will get it on Saturday night in Atlanta at UFC 145. Photo: REUTERS
Speaking to reporters after his victory over Chavez, Silva hinted at his desire to pursue a professional boxing career.
"I love fighting," Silva said in his postfight interview. "Boxing was my dream for many years. I needed to show my respect for boxing. I need to come here and do my best."
Jones, on the other hand, had already made a successful boxing comeback last year in an exhibition match against former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.
Shortly after the said match, a number of boxing legends have been linked to Jones, including Frank Bruno.
According to Bruno, he would “love to fight” Jones, but due to his eye problems, his team “had to decline.”
"My office get some interesting calls,” Bruno tweeted. "Today, did I want an exhibition match with James Bone-Crusher Smith?”
"Two weeks ago, it was Roy Jones Jr.,” he continued. “I would love to fight but my eyes are not good and sadly we had to decline. I am disappointed."
Days after Bruno’s claim, Jones himself told IFL TV that he would fancy facing Carl Froch after the British boxing legend took a dig at him.
“Carl Froch says I’m shot to bits,” Jones said. “Well, okay. But show me, show me that I’m shot to bits,” Jones said. “Show me. I don’t care, show me that I’m shot to bits. Wembley Stadium, live – 80, 100,000, I don’t care. Show me that I’m shot to bits. When you get right, come see me.”
