Rashad Evans has been long out of the UFC scene, no thanks to an ACL injury which sidelined him for about 22 months. However, it looks like the former light heavyweight champion is now mapping out his plans on a return to the Octagon and that could be in the coming Fall at UFC 191.
To date, the planned even has no fight booked and the 35-year-old fighter is aching to spring back into action and possibly place himself in line for another title shot.
Evans has his eyes on Daniel Cormier, someone whom he would have faced before had it not for an injury which eased him out of the said match. Being out of action for long, getting another crack may not be that easy.
Cormier is the current UFC light heavyweight champion and a lot of fighters want a piece of him. One of those is Ryan Bader who Cormier called out in a heated moment which almost saw the two coming to blows.
With that said, Evans may need to get in line before taking a shot at Cormier. Hence, targeting Bader could be a more feasible alternative before focusing his eyes on the UFC Light Heavyweight Champ.
The question now is how ready and fit is Evans to face Bader?
Evans lost the title in 2009 when he suffered a KO loss at the hands of Lyoto Machida. Despite the setback, Evans was able to string up four straight wins before losing a title-match to Jon Jones who would eventually be stripped of the title due to an alleged hit-and-run accident.
From the looks of it, Evans vs. Bader does make sense since the latter is not expected to be anywhere near Cormier at least for now.
However, a lot of questions are being raised on the condition and state of Evans. Can he hold his own against Bader? Will his age (Evans turns 36 in September) be a liability and work against him?
Such are the things many are thinking right now. Is Evans ready to fight and against a dangerous adversary in Bader?
Perhaps, but it may still leave many in doubt. Age and his overall health are reasons for concern though there is no harm in Evans trying to work his way back to the top. And it all starts with Bader if the UFC sanctions it.
Bader, like Evans, wants a piece of Cormier so to decide who deserve to face the reigning champion, a tiff between the two could perhaps settle the score before feasting their eyes on the UFC Light Heavyweight title.