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[Sakara=Excitement]

Rashad Evans Won't Rule Out Move to Middleweight, But Likely to Stay at 205 - MMA Fighting

Apr 22, 2012 - ATLANTA -- Rashad Evans has long been considered a small light-heavyweight, but even after suffering his second career loss, he plans to stay there.

That said, during the UFC 145 post-fight press conference, he opened the door a crack for a possible move to middleweight following his defeat at the hands of Jon Jones.

"I’m a 205-pounder," Evans said. "I’ve only lost twice and I lost to a good competitor … But if an opportunity happens at 185, I'll take it. But I like 205, I'll just have to work my way back up and get back to a title shot."

Evans road back to a championship opportunity would figure to be shorter at middleweight, where he would be starting with a clean slate. In addition, due to division champion Anderson Silva's long reign, there is always a need for new contenders. Right now, while Chael Sonnen is on deck to face Silva, there's no clear-cut next challenger after him.

In the light-heavyweight division, besides top contender Dan Henderson, there's veterans like Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Lyoto Machida, and rising younger fighters like Alexander Gustafsson and Ryan Bader trying to make the leap. It is simply a more crowded field.

When asked about it the possibility of offering Evans a middleweight, UFC president Dana White said he had never considered the possibility.

"I honestly have never thought about it," he said. "We'll see what happens."

White also might have offered Evans enough hope to stay at his longtime home as well, saying an eventual rematch between him and Jones could never be ruled out.

"Anything's possible," he said. "If they keep winning, absolutely."

Evans' two career losses have both come in title fights. Besides losing to Jones, his other defeat was his championship loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 in May 2009.

[CtGreat]

I want Evans to move down in weight. He could do some serious damage in that devision.

[Firemass]

Evans would be amazing at 185lbs too, it's not like he's that undersized for the division. But next to Jones, just like many people, he just looked in the wrong weight class.

[Cat--Smasher]

Originally Posted by Firemass

Evans would be amazing at 185lbs too, it's not like he's that undersized for the division. But next to Jones, just like many people, he just looked in the wrong weight class.

I dont think this happens. Rashad didnt sound like it was in the plans at the press conference...

Rashad is not the one in the wrong weight class, Jones is the one in the wrong weight class... Jones currently walks around at 230.

[CtGreat]

Originally Posted by Cat--Smasher

I dont think this happens. Rashad didnt sound like it was in the plans at the press conference...

Rashad is not the one in the wrong weight class, Jones is the one in the wrong weight class... Jones currently walks around at 230.

Neither are in the "wrong" weight class.

[MIZjitsZOU]

Would love to see Evans move to 185. That said he has plenty of match ups at 205.

[Sakara=Excitement]

We're going to see more and more unfair advantages due to weight cut. Just watch and see.

[MIZjitsZOU]

Originally Posted by CtGreat

Neither are in the "wrong" weight class.

Agree. As long as you can get to 205 then you are in the right weight class, under the current rules.

[Firemass]

Evans has some great options at 205, but a 185 move is do-able with his frame.

I'd be intruiged to see where his career goes from here, regardless of weight.

[lwbrewer]

Probely won't be many title fights in states like Ohio were it has a same day weigh in's.
I'd be in for Evans making a run at 185# either win it or move back up as he won't get a title shot for awhile anyhow.