It didn't take long for UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to find a new opponent for Rashad Evans after former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell had to drop out due to an injury. The former "Ultimate Fighter" winner will now face James Irvin in London.
"I was probably upset about the Chuck thing for maybe a couple of hours, then they was telling me I was fighting James Irvin and I was like, 'Aw man I've got to snap out of that, that kid's just knocking out everybody,'" said Evans. "I can't be on his highlight reel so I've got to train really hard."
The fight between Evans and Liddell was set to headline the card and while no formal announcement has been made by the UFC, this new match-up will likely be a co-main event with another fight.
While Evans remains focused on Irvin he still expressed his disappointment about the fight cancellation with Liddell.
"I definitely didn't expect it you know. I was very excited for my fight with Chuck Liddell, but I guess we'll have to do it another time," Evans stated.
"I'm a little bit disappointed, but I think I'm at the point where I'm kind of over all of it and focusing on my new opponent. He's very tough and brings a lot of things to the table so I definitely can't go in there being sad cause I'm not fighting Chuck."
This isn't the first change of opponents Evans has had to deal with as he was originally slated to face Thiago Silva as a part of the upcoming UFC 84 card on May 24.
"This is my third opponent so hopefully nothing happens to James Irvin," Evans commented with a laugh. "I hope he has a good training camp."
Obviously, the match-up with Irvin brings a different dynamic to Evans and his training camp, but it's something that he along with head trainer Greg Jackson will analyze over the next six weeks.
"I think that James is a bit more explosive than Chuck," Evans stated. "He's very explosive and he's an athletic fighter so he definitely presents his own problems being that fighter. He's a game opponent and he's definitely going to be a tough fight."
Evans is already in New Mexico working alongside teammates such as Keith Jardine, Nathan Marquardt, and Joey Villasenor who are all preparing for fights around this same time as his.
And while the former Michigan State wrestler is now focused on James Irvin, he hopes Liddell comes back soon and a fight between the two can happen.
"I hope James stays healthy the whole camp and I wish Chuck the best on his recovery so we can get in there and do it."
"I was probably upset about the Chuck thing for maybe a couple of hours, then they was telling me I was fighting James Irvin and I was like, 'Aw man I've got to snap out of that, that kid's just knocking out everybody,'" said Evans. "I can't be on his highlight reel so I've got to train really hard."
The fight between Evans and Liddell was set to headline the card and while no formal announcement has been made by the UFC, this new match-up will likely be a co-main event with another fight.
While Evans remains focused on Irvin he still expressed his disappointment about the fight cancellation with Liddell.
"I definitely didn't expect it you know. I was very excited for my fight with Chuck Liddell, but I guess we'll have to do it another time," Evans stated.
"I'm a little bit disappointed, but I think I'm at the point where I'm kind of over all of it and focusing on my new opponent. He's very tough and brings a lot of things to the table so I definitely can't go in there being sad cause I'm not fighting Chuck."
This isn't the first change of opponents Evans has had to deal with as he was originally slated to face Thiago Silva as a part of the upcoming UFC 84 card on May 24.
"This is my third opponent so hopefully nothing happens to James Irvin," Evans commented with a laugh. "I hope he has a good training camp."
Obviously, the match-up with Irvin brings a different dynamic to Evans and his training camp, but it's something that he along with head trainer Greg Jackson will analyze over the next six weeks.
"I think that James is a bit more explosive than Chuck," Evans stated. "He's very explosive and he's an athletic fighter so he definitely presents his own problems being that fighter. He's a game opponent and he's definitely going to be a tough fight."
Evans is already in New Mexico working alongside teammates such as Keith Jardine, Nathan Marquardt, and Joey Villasenor who are all preparing for fights around this same time as his.
And while the former Michigan State wrestler is now focused on James Irvin, he hopes Liddell comes back soon and a fight between the two can happen.
"I hope James stays healthy the whole camp and I wish Chuck the best on his recovery so we can get in there and do it."
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