Rashad Evans On Future: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Then Lyoto Machida

After months of nonstop yapping, former light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans has been fairly quiet since dominating Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 114 . Although his silence has been a nice change of pace, Evans is willing to ride the pine until his division’s champion is ready to face him.

“I kind of figured he would be out for awhile after his last fight, hearing how he went into the fight beforehand,” Evans told MMAjunkie.com of Maruicio “Shogun” Rua’s third knee surgery. “So, at this point, unless they come up with an interim title, then I’ll wait.

“Having a chance to fight for a title is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, and I consider myself to be very lucky that I got two chances.”

Although facing Shogun for his strap would be ideal, the prospects of a potential manufactured belt has gained some momentum within the past few days—the product of Team Machida’s heavy lifting .

It wouldn’t be the worst scenario for Evans, as an interim title fight would afford him the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

“You know, revenge is a dish best served cold,” Evans told the website. “I know I’m going to get my chance to fight [Machida] again, so it doesn’t matter if I’m fighting him in my next fight or the fight after. I know I’m going to get the chance to fight him, and whenever I do, it’s going to be about me just going out there exorcising some demons.”

Evans owns an impressive 15-1-1 professional record.

The controversial wrestler has never faced Shogun, however was slapped completely silly by Machida when they met at UFC 98 in May of 2009 en route to being handed his only professional loss—so you clearly understand why “Sugar” wants a mulligan.

Don’t forget to follow 5thRound.com on Twitter @5thRound and visit 5thRound.com for more UFC news