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[homegrowncone]

Dana White: With UFC 108 win, Evans vs. "Rampage" targeted for May | MMAjunkie.com

LAS VEGAS – Despite his win over fellow top contender Thiago Silva in the main event of this past Saturday's UFC 108 event, former champ Rashad Evans won't get an immediate title shot.

Instead, UFC president Dana White plans to have Evans (14-1-1 MMA, 9-1-1 UFC) settle his grudge match against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (30-7 MMA, 5-1 UFC), and he thinks the fight could happen at a UFC 113 event expected to take place May 1 in Montreal.

Evans and Jackson served as coaches on the recently concluded 10th season of "The Ultimate Fighter," but a season-ending bout at UFC 107 was scratched when Jackson entered a short-lived retirement.

Evans, who instead was moved to UFC 108, returned to his wrestling roots and ground out a decision victory over Silva at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It was his first fight since he lost his title via vicious knockout to Lyoto Machida in May 2009.

While Evans' body of work arguably makes him worthy to meet the winner of an upcoming title fight (and rematch) between Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, White prefers that Evans settle his score with Jackson, who soon returns from shooting his starring role as B.A. Baracus in a silver-screen adaptation of "The A-Team."

White initially expected the fight to happen in March but is now eying a May date.

"The fight should have happened two weeks ago (at UFC 107)," White said. "But I'm over [the trash-talking]. I'm past it. I think Rashad is too. Now's the time to do that fight as soon as he's done with his movie."

Evans, meanwhile, said he just wants to continue his winning ways.

"Getting to fight him (Jackson) would be a good opportunity to say the least," Evans said. "Getting the chance to get back in there and get on the winning track was very important tonight. Being off for so long and having so many distractions and working through so many things mentally, it was a little tougher than I thought it would be. ... But getting in here, fighting, sticking to the game plan and getting a win over a good, solid opponent under my belt was a good step for me."

And though he'd like a shot to reclaim his title, he wouldn't mind another fight to put the finishing touches on his retooled style.

"It's always great to fight for a belt," Evans said. "But I think I need one more fight to integrate everything I've been working on so that when I do get a title shot, no one will beat me."

So when could Evans vs. Jackson happen?

"We're thinking maybe, probably May," said White, referring to a card that's also expected to include Machida vs. Rua II. "That's going to be a sick card up there (in Montreal)."

For more on UFC 108, as well as the currently unannounced UFC 113 event, check out the MMA Events section of MMAjunkie.com.

With Machida VS Shogun II as the main event 113 is already looking solid.

[lwbrewer]

My thoughts are Dana is still pissed at Page for the crap he pulled. Page did have a shot at the title but choose not to, then went hollywood on us, & Sho Gun Machinda rematch. I see Page not being physically & mentally ready for this fight and Dana knows it and likes it too. JMO

[JadedX]

Originally Posted by homegrowncone

With Machida VS Shogun II as the main event 113 is already looking solid.

This. And that is all.

[rodzilla1988]

This card is getting me very excited but I won't bank on him fighting until I see his snaring entrance to the octagon.

[Killinginthenameof]

yeah, no way either page or evans gets a shot till rua/machida dos is settled. winner vs winner after that.

[kingrobert]

Originally Posted by Killinginthenameof

yeah, no way either page or evans gets a shot till rua/machida dos is settled. winner vs winner after that.

Rampage has said he is only going to finish his contract witch is 2 fights. I dont see the UFC giving him a title shot even if he beats Rashad. IDK maybe Rampage would change his mind if he beats Evans.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

I'll hold my breath a little while longer with Rampage, because I don't think he really gives two shits too many right now about MMA and there doesn't seem to be much of a benefit for him to kill himself in a training camp, fight Rashad and risk even MORE injury, then have to go off and do like two months plus of worldwide press for the A-Team.

IMO, we'll se Rampage back by year's end, but Rashad'll probably get a sequel to Tito or Forrest, maybe Franklin or Lil Nog, or even Randy if he impresses against Coleman, before we are given the Rampage bout. I don't see the timing adding up given the Hollywood committment's and alot of Rampage's comments about fighting as of late......

[v3xi]

What an awesome card.

Rampage is going to destroy Rashad.

[Repenter]

good news, but either shogun or machida would eat either rampage or rashad alive, either again or with a new matchup.

[MickeyKnox]

Man i PRAY this happens and doesnt get cancelled this time. 2010 is looking like its going to be fucking CRAZY!!! Im praying for all kinds of memorable ass whoopin, KO's, blood, guts, and broken bones. Haha..in all good favor to the fighters of course. And amongst my 2010 MMA wishes, i would LOVE nothing more... than to see Rampage do his first slam in the UFC. And that would be SLAMMING rashads ass through the mat after he Brock Lesnars his face/head.

I can see Rampage coming out, knocking some hard sense into Rashads mind, literally, then Rashad trying to hug on Rampage for dear life. Rampage: Just let it happen, boy!!