Fighter Analysis : Rashad Evans

I myself never thought Rashad was showboating that first fight in the Octagon on the Ultimate Fighter. He didn't talk trash he was just trying to get his man to open up and throw some punches. Legitimate tactics if you ask me. Had he been running his mouth I could understand where Matt Hughes was coming from. That and Rashad's seeming inability to finish a match are his biggest criticisms and he has been addressing the second one his last two fights. Just ask Jason Lambert, who just recently beat a game Babalu. Oh, and that Salmon guy who might be awake by now.

Rashad is one of, if not the, most gifted athlete in MMA. He's got the best takedowns in the LHW division. He simply explodes on people, too quick and he's also got the power too. His wrestling skills should assure that Rashad will pretty much always be able to choose where the fight takes place. That my friends is a HUGE asset. Couple that with the fact that he has legitimate skill in both areas and you have a guy who can stand up the ground guys and takedown the strikers at will. Nice.

The down side is that on the ground Rashad hasn't shown much else (yet) but the ability to stay on top and not get caught in a submission, which can lead to decisions if he doesn't get the mount and pound it out like he did against Lambert. And he really didn't show any great ability in improving his position for that matter.

Standing up "Sugar" Rashad (and I love the throwback, out of the mold nickname even if it has been used) has sweet moves, yes just like Napoleon Dynamite. He has quick hands, moves very well and seems to be able to take a punch though, and this seems weird, seems to be afraid of getting punched at times. Who knows, maybe thats just good sense. Doesn't he want to have a chance at being Cuba Gooding Jr's stunt double later in life? Can't do that if he gets too busted up! Evans did not show any great ability to land his punches though and I am not 100% sold that the kick that rocked Salmon's snotbox was set up and executed masterfully. Did he look very comfortable kicking? Yes? Did he throw it at the head? Yes. I don't know how many fights he's going to be winning with that tactic though. I'm not saying fluke, just that he's not Cro Cop.

If Rashad beats Tito who has been relegated to gatekeeper status then Evans will get a shot at the man, Chuck "Iceman" Liddell! And well earned I say. This might be a tougher matchup for the champ than say Tito because Rashad's takedowns are just flat better. If Rashad can get the Iceman down then it changes the complexion of things immensely. How will Chuck react to that? Does Chuck have a guard? Can Chuck get back up? If he does and he gets taken back down then that could yield big points for Rashad and if this hypothetical title fight goes to the judges Evans will win. Yes I am out on the limb, i hear it creaking but I think it will hold.

What it boils down to is a guy who can control where the fight takes place but not consistently finish the fight anywhere. He's got a varied striking attack, stellar wrestling ability and can avoid submissions which could lead to some real snoozers but to his credit the guy has come a long way. From the undersized underdog who won a TUF contract but seemingly just barely, to a guy who is soon to fight Tito Ortiz and has already beaten Jason Lambert (who could very well get his own title shot at Liddell soon.) I hear talk about how Kendall Grove has improved so much but to be honest I don't know if any TUFer has improved more than Rashad Evans. If he keeps working as hard as he has, and with Greg Jackson's camp you know he will, watch out!

And that brings us to the final point. His camp. He gets the opportunity to work with Diego Sanchez, Joey Villasenor, Keith Jardine and Nathan Marquardt on a regular basis. You can't beat that kind of help. And as we know from those guys you don't come out of this camp without great cardio. You have to put these guys down or they'll be there at the end giving you that mean look and not even breathing hard.