UFC 133: Expect a Tough Battle With Rashad Evans - Phil Davis (PREVIEW)
Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (15-1) meets Phil Davis (9-0) at UFC 133, on Saturday, August 6, in a much anticipated battle.
Evans was initially set to take on current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones (13-1) but Jones had to pull out due to an injury. Davis, known to some as Mr. Wonderful, stepped in as the replacement fighter.
Both Evans and Davis are known for their wrestling skills, though Evan is considered faster at takedowns.
Davis is a thorough fighter when he can fight his opponent on the ground, and with a four-inch reach advantage he can strike Evans with accuracy. Such advantages can come back to haunt Evans, who was knocked out by Lyoto Machida (17-2) back in 2009.
Evans might consider using his mastery of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to assert his presence in the fight. He is capable of commanding Davis from standing and striking with his fast hands. In 2010, Evans fought Thiago Silva (14-2), and was able to take him down several times before winning by unanimous decision.
Davis fights well on the ground and can win by submission if he can slip past Evans defense. Back at UFC 123 in 2010, Davis received Submission of the Night from his win by kimura choke over Tim Boetsch (13-4).
A win for Evans will most likely lead him to a title fight, since his fight with Jones was interrupted. Davis is still developing as a UFC fighter which prompts questions of his ability to handle a tough fighter like Evans.
What's certain is that on August 6, one fighter will move closer to becoming a very serious contender in the division.
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