UFC Hall of Famer and former champion Rashad Evans is unretiring from combat sports.
The news was first reported by ESPN. According to the report, the former light heavyweight champion is open to returning to MMA or boxing. In addition, it seems like Evans has already mapped out a couple of possible opponents, most of which would take place in a boxing ring.
At 41-years of age, the news that Evans would fight again came as a bit of a shock. The former champion last competed in 2018 where he lost to former title challenger Anthony Smith. Evans was subsequently TKO’d in the first round with elbows inside the clinch, and ever since that fateful night, Evans decided to step away from his fighting career.
Chillin' on the @espnmma set with my #UFCVegas22 Post Show crew… 😎 Hope you can join me, @SugaRashadEvans, @lionheartasmith and @MeganOlivi after the main event on #ESPNPlus! 👊👊👊 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/mz4pfJyDMc
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) March 21, 2021
Rashad Evans, 41, left the UFC on a 5-fight losing skid. Although fans still got to see “Suga” in action. Following his fighting career with the UFC, the former champion is doing desk work for the UFC and ESPN. As a desk analyst, many were shocked to see Evans come back to fighting, but the professional fighter is optimistic about all of his options.
After witnessing so many MMA fighters turn to boxing, it seems the former champion is ready to get in on the action now. In the meantime, it looks like Evans is already targeting the Paul brothers and Roy Jones Jr. for a fight.
According to the report, Evans’ team is already in preliminary discussions with Logan Paul’s management team about a potential showdown.
While the news of Rashad Evans returning was out of left-field, it will be fun to have another former UFC champion representing MMA. Not to mention, it will be a big opportunity for a UFC Hall of Famer to finally cash in on a massive payday.
