• UFC 128

Jones admits it 'sucks' that Rashad is next

ESPN staff
March 20, 2011
Jon Jones will fight Rashad Evans next © Getty Images
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Rashad Evans will be the first man to challenge Jon Jones' reign as UFC light-heavyweight king, after shaking on the bout with the new champion at UFC 128.

Evans and Jones have previously been training partners at Greg Jackson's gym, prompting them to spend months claiming they would never fight each other. Evans even promised to change division to middleweight or heavyweight, but now his stance has changed.

Jones leapt ahead of his friend in the queue for the 205lb belt, beating Mauricio Shogun Rua to become the new light-heavyweight champion, and Joe Rogan confirmed post-fight that Evans is now the No. 1 contender.

"It sucks to have to do this, but I have to do exactly what I have to do," said Jones, who clearly was not happy with the situation.

"You should never say never. He's got that strap, and I've got to go after it," confirmed Evans, who ignited the match-up by leaving Jackson's camp.

Jackson has since stated he will not train either man in the lead-up to the bout.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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