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| Rashad Evans faces stiff competition from Australian 12-1 star Dan Kelly. |
Former UFC Light Heavyweight title holder 'Suga' Rashad Evans makes his Middleweight debut this weekend, against Australian Judo and BJJ fighter Dan Kelly at UFC 209 in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bout will not only be Evans' first venture into new territory in the form of the 185lbs division, but his first contest since his stunning KO loss to Glover Teixeira last April. Rashad was expected to face the recently retired Tim Kennedy at UFC 205, but was unable to gain sufficient medical clearance to compete on that card, or the UFC 206 card, before he was replaced by Kelvin Gastelum, who would go on score a knockout win over Kennedy. Evans, a fantastic wrestler, is also very capable of a knockout, with highlight reel finishes against Forrest Griffin, Sean Salmon and Chuck Liddell springing to mind. Melbourne born Dan Kelly, has only been on the wrong end of the winning margin once, losing via knockout to Sam Alvey in 2015, before embarking on an impressive three fight win streak, which includes a most previous victory over UFC veteran Chris Camozzi. A huge question lies over how Evans will adjust and adapt to the lighter weight cut, and also his ability to absorb a shot, after that starching shot from Teixeira comprehensively stopped the American last time out. For this exact reason, we may see a much more tentative 'Suga' against Kelly this weekend, similar to his bout against the Brazilian Thiago Silva, and may look to depend on his extensive wrestling ability and his BJJ black belt grappling.
Rashad Evans via split decision.
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