• UFC on Fox 2

Rashad and Davis set for January clash

ESPN staff
November 30, 2011
Rashad Evans beat Tito Ortiz on his last outing © Getty Images
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Rashad Evans will fight Phil Davis in January to try and cement his status as the No. 1 contender for Jon Jones' UFC light-heavyweight title.

Evans has been considered the top challenger in the division ever since beating Quinton Jackson at UFC 114 in March 2010, but has been prevented from fighting for the title on three occasions after injuries scuppered a scheduled clash with then-champion Mauricio Shogun Rua and two with Jones - the second of those coming prior to UFC 133, when an injured Jones was forced to pull out.

Jones, who returns to defend his crown against Lyoto Machida in December, has recently insisted that Evans take on another fight to prove his worth before he is granted a title shot, and the champion appears to have been granted his wish with Evans set for UFC on Fox 2 in 2012.

Evans was first set to face Davis at UFC 133 as a replacement for Jones, but the latter hurt his knee in the weeks leading up to the fight. As a result Evans fought Tito Ortiz instead, going on to take his 16th win in 18 fights in the UFC.

The 27-year-old Davis is unbeaten in the UFC, having won all nine of his fights - with the last coming against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in March.

The pair will headline the event at the United Center in Chicago on January 28. Demetrious Johnson against Eddie Wineland and Jon Olav Einemo versus Mike Russow are also set for the card.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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