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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Another great Sugar Shad interview
Four years ago, Rashad Evans was just another guy trying to make a name for himself on The Ultimate Fighter. Now he's the champion of the UFC's most talented division, and he's getting ready to defend his title against the undefeated Lyoto Machida at UFC 98.
In an interview this week, Evans said that despite Machida's unorthodox style, he's still preparing the way he always does -- like he's still just another guy trying to make a name for himself. Evans also talked about his experiences on The Ultimate Fighter and his goal of breaking Anderson Silva's record for most consecutive UFC wins. The full interview is below.
Michael David Smith: With a couple of weeks to go before your fight with Lyoto Machida, how much does his unique style affect your preparation?
Rashad Evans: Not much at all.
Michael David Smith: Really?
Rashad Evans: I try not to worry too much about anyone else. I think too much attention is paid to how unique his style is. Whenever you prepare for a fight, every fighter has a different way about him. No two fighters are exactly alike. The problems that he presents are pretty much the same as the problems any other fighter presents, as far as my having to prepare for him. His style is not like a lot of people's, but the principles are all the same no matter who you're fighting.
Michael David Smith: Do you have sparring partners who can imitate his style?
Rashad Evans: Yeah, I've got my regular training partners who try to mimic what he does. But like I said, it's still all about preparing for an MMA fight and not so much preparing for one style.
Michael David Smith: Some people think Lyoto's style is boring. Do you agree with that?
Rashad Evans: No, I don't think it's boring. i think it's really good. I like watching Lyoto fight. He's very accurate and he's very precise.
Michael David Smith: Have you watched a lot of film of him?
Rashad Evans: Yeah. Always. I always watch a lot of film.
Michael David Smith: You guys have faced three of the same opponents: Sam Hoger, Stephan Bonnar and Tito Ortiz. Is there anything you can glean from seeing how he faced a fighter that you've also faced?
Rashad Evans: Not really, because those fights happened in different stages of our careers. It's hard to compare.
Michael David Smith: You're actually listed as an underdog, even though you're the champion. Does that bother you?
Rashad Evans: No, of course not. It wouldn't be a Rashad Evans fight if I wasn't the underdog.
Michael David Smith: It was only four years ago that you were just a guy trying to make it on The Ultimate Fighter. Have you gotten used to the fact that you're a world champion?
Rashad Evans: No. I still train like I'm a guy trying to break in.
Michael David Smith: Were you disappointed that you couldn't fight Rampage Jackson?
Rashad Evans: No, not at all. I thought Lyoto was more deserving than Rampage anyway.
Michael David Smith: Why?
Rashad Evans: He's better.
Michael David Smith: After UFC 96 you and Rampage had a little bit of a trash talking session. Do you dislike Rampage?
Rashad Evans: No, actually, I like Rampage a lot. I think he's really funny and charismatic. But I still want to beat his *** some day.
Michael David Smith: Who have you been training with to get ready to fight Machida?
Rashad Evans: Georges St Pierre came down, Keith Jardine has been a big help like he always is, Nate Marquardt has been a big help, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson has been a big help, David Louiseau. A lot of people help me to get ready.
Michael David Smith: All of those guys train with Greg Jackson. What is it that makes Greg Jackson such a good trainer?
Rashad Evans: I think it's just the way he relates to each of his fighters. He has good relationships with all of us and he tries hard to understand all of us. He knows how to communicate with each of us, and we all have ways of communicating differently but he finds ways to communicate with every person directly.
Michael David Smith: Do you have goals you set for yourself in the sport?
Rashad Evans: I want to get Anderson Silva's record for the most consecutive wins in the UFC, with nine, keep the belt and then break that record.
Michael David Smith: Would you like to fight Anderson Silva?
Rashad Evans: Sure. I'd love to fight Anderson Silva.
Michael David Smith: What do you think of his upcoming fight with your last opponent, Forrest Griffin?
Rashad Evans: I think it's going to be a good fight. I think Forrest Griffin is going to perform well because when he's an underdog and everybody thinks he doesn't have a chance, that's when he's at his best. That's when Forrest Griffin is most dangerous. Silva is very, very good and he probably will win the fight. But I don't think it's going to be easy. I think Forrest is going to give him some trouble.
Michael David Smith: I also wanted to ask you about The Ultimate Fighter. Do you have any advice for those young guys who are doing the show now?
Rashad Evans: Just enjoy it. When you're doing a show like that it feels like it's never going to end and I wish I had enjoyed it a little bit. You should have fun doing it.
Michael David Smith: When you were on the show, Matt Hughes was one of the coaches, and he was critical of you. Now you're in the main event at UFC 98 and he's in the co-main event. What do you think of Matt Hughes now and what do you think of his fight with Matt Serra?
Rashad Evans: I've got nothing but love for Matt Hughes. I've got nothing but respect for him because as a champion he's already done what I want to do, have a successful run as champion. I think his fight with Serra is a great fight between two fighters who are in the same spot in their careers right now. It's going to be an interesting fight to see. I don't know who's going to win, and I like both guys, but I think if Matt Hughes goes in there just trying to kill Matt Serra, he might get caught with something. But I think if he goes in there patient and lets the fight develop, then it'll go to Matt Hughes.
Michael David Smith: Hughes and Serra make no secret that they're motivated for this fight because they dislike each other. What about you? Does disliking your opponent help motivate you?
Rashad Evans: Not really. I remember when I fought Tito Ortiz, I got caught up too much in that. I'm the kind of fighter who doesn't need to fight angry or upset. I fight because I love to fight, I love the competition.
Michael David Smith: What about the flip side, fighting someone you really like personally? I know Keith Jardine has said he wouldn't fight you. Do you feel the same way?
Rashad Evans: Of course. Jardine is my No. 1 training partner. I couldn't go through a camp without him. There's just no way I could go into the Octagon and fight him. I would rather retire.
Michael David Smith: That's a bold statement.
Rashad Evans: It's the truth.
Michael David Smith: What do you hope is next for you after the fight on May 23?
Rashad Evans: After I fight Lyoto, God willing I'll come out of that fight with my health. Then I'll go home and spend some time with my family, and hopefully I'll fight again in September or October. I just hope 2009 is a great year of growing, and no matter what my challenges are, I'll become stronger and a better person because of it.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Damn good interview.
I still want Machida to win, but I'm slowly becoming an Evans fan. He just seems like , despite some of the showboating and what-have-you, he is a real dude that speaks the truth. Respectable.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Yeah he seems like a regular dude that would be posting on this website on a daily basis if he wasn't a fighter. As far as he not wanting to fight his friend Jardine, only time will tell.
At one point Chuck said the same thing about Tito. Kenny Florian said the same thing about Joe Lauzon. So only time will tell.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Nevermind training with GSP,Jardine and those guys. Better call Japan and ask for some ninjas.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
We know Machida is smooth and is the favorite in this fight, and I am a fan of his , but I don't know why but I see Rashad getting the TKO here in the 4th round.
and if that happens it's going to really derail Machida's career in the UFC. He might wait another 2 years to get another title shot when he's 32 and who knows by then if his skills, quickness have gone a little bit plus the fact that he lost his "invincibility".
So ya .....EVANS by TKO 4th round....he catches Machida with a right hook square on the jaw and finishes him off via ground n pound.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
I doubt it will be 2 years. If he loses, the next fight for him would be Lidell if Lidell is still around or it would be a rematch with Rich Franklin. Personally I think Machida would be a much better fighter at Middleweight then Lightheavy weight.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
man, i still think it will be 2 years.No matter how much Dana White says Machida is the next best thing, they realize he just doesn't have drawing power like the Rampages and the LIddells, especially after a blemish loss by Evans. If he loses, rampage will be next then maybe forrest again and then maybe machida if there is no young star rising. This fight is 5 times more important for Machida than it is for Evans IMO. If Evans loses, he'll probably get another shot after Rampage Machida square off.
Liddell would be the biggest crackhead to take a fight with Machida at this point in his career. He would just be embarassed and KOed most likely. It could also make his "last" fight so memorable if he pulls it out. But if he beats Machida, he's gonna keep fighting.
Middleweight huh? Machida today is actually leaner than he was 5 years ago. Check his early fights on mmalinker.com, and you can see how thicker he was back then. For the Thiago fight, he did get bigger again than his UFC debut, but still not as thick as he was earlier in his career.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Hmmm lightheavy weight division is really old and kind of thin. They really don't have anymore rising stars in there other then Thiago Silva. Unless Brandon Vera gets his stuff together then he could be a force.
But as it stands now, the rotation for the title shots will be this for the next year:
Forrest
Rashad
Rampage
Machida
People who could be there but won't because they always lose right before they get next in line for the title shot:
Shogun
Jardine
Wanderlia
GoueviaComment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
forgot about shogun.....if machida loses, I think Shogun will be ahead of him for a title shot given that he wins his next fight or 2 .
well we're talking worst case scenario anyways....best thing that could happen is Machida schools Evans in 2 weeks and ends it with a brutal "eyes rolled back to the socket" KO. Stamp his authority on the division......but my gut tells me Rashad will win.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
yeah I believe Rashad will win. Catch him with an overhead right or a head kick out of nowhere.Comment
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Re: UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida
Jones is a ways away from deserving a title shot. He's fun to watch but he's extremely sloppy. Hasnt really beaten anyone yet either. Beating Bonnar who handnt fought in 16 months and was coming a off knee reconstruction is not that impressive IMO.
He is fun as hell to watch though.Last edited by sven; 05-11-2009, 01:33 PM.Comment
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