If you remember this one was suppose to go down at UFC 85 until Chuck torn his hammy in training...
Chuck Liddell got a taste of his own medicine when Rashad Evans made him a piece of a highlight reel style knockout, not unlike what Liddell has been on the other side of for much of his career. Evans single-handedly threw a wrench in the gears of the 205 pound division this past Saturday. Dana White has already stated that Evans is now next in line (or should I say first in line) to take on Forrest Griffin for the light heavyweight title.
Admittedly, I have not watched the fight or even the KO ending since I saw it live on Saturday night. Also admittedly, I was not exactly 100% sober by the time the main event rolled around. None-the-less I was right in front of the TV, eyes glued on this fight.
A couple people watching near me where commenting on Evans overhand punches he had been throwing. I had just turned to a them and stated that there was a snowballs chance in hell that Evans would be able to finish with that punch. No sooner than when I turned back to the fight did Liddell fall like a ton of bricks.
I can not recall what the odds were in the Griffin/Jackson fight but I still call that a bigger upset than this fight. Now we have two TUF veterans; Griffin from season 1 and Evans from season 2. These are two guys who have been underdogs for much of their careers in the UFC. Evans was an undersized heavyweight when he won TUF 2 while Griffin’s underdog story culminated in an impressive victory over Rampage Jackson.
You have to feel good for these too on some level. These are two of the hardest working guys in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC. They have not been handed their success. They have worked extremely hard and earned it. Congratulations Rashad.
Shock and awe! Would have loved to see Evans fight Rampage first.