Rashad Evans Aiming For September Return, Eyes Ryan Bader Fight
New UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier has an ongoing beef with no. 3-ranked Ryan Bader that dates back to their trash talk duels on Twitter. The feud was escalated to an all-new level, however, when ‘DC’ and ‘Darth’ got into a heated confrontation at the UFC 187 post-fight conference mere moments after Cormier won the belt with a dominant third round submission over Anthony Johnson.
Cormier dubbed Bader, who he was originally scheduled to face in the main event of this Saturday’s (June 6, 2015) UFC Fight Night 68 from his home state of Louisiana, the ‘easiest fight in the division,’ while Bader chirped up with his own evidence that Cormier had become a ‘diva’ who ‘big-times’ and trash talks everyone because of his newfound success.
The bad blood-fueled animosity lent to the possibility that Cormier will first defend his title while former champion Jon Jones sorts out his legal trouble, but he may have to wait in line for the ‘easiest fight in the division.’
Ariel Helwani revealed on this evening’s episode of UFC Tonight that former Rashad Evans champion, who’s been on the shelf since late 2013 dealing with multiple knee injuries, is eying a September return to the Octagon and wants Bader as his opponent.
Show co-host Cormier was not surprisingly on hand to offer his opinion of the situation, probably only half-heartingly joking that ‘Suga’ was only looking for an easy fight:
Rashad Evans is eyeing a September return and wants to fight #3 Ryan Bader. DC says Rashad wants an ‘easy’ fight.
— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) June 4, 2015
Based on Evans’ star power, the bout that would potentially pit the no. 3 contender against no. 4, could definitely be the match-up that the UFC decides to go with. A win for Evans would put him right back into the title hunt after a long layoff, and a win for Bader would leave little to no doubt that he is the rightful owner of a claim to the next 205-pound title shot.
And after all, news came from UFC President Dana White that former title contender Alexander Gustafsson will most likely be up next for ‘DC,’ leaving plenty of room for Bader to potentially take a fight with Evans.
Is ‘Darth’ too tough of a task for the returning ‘Suga,’ or do you think the returning former champ still has enough left in the tank to supplant himself back in the title picture this fall?
Photo Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
