UFC 133: Rashad Evans Is at Risk of Losing Title Shot to Phil Davis

Following the recent news of Jon Jones being sidelined due to an injury, it is now learned that the UFC light heavyweight champion will be out of action for six months. As a result, rising prospect Phil Davis has stepped in to replace Jones, but it wont necessarily guarantee him a title shot just yet. 

"It's a huge upside for Phil," UFC president Dana White told MMAjunkie.com. "This guy is an up-and-coming guy anyway. We'll see what happens."

While there is a reward for Davis filling in for the 23-year old Jones, there is more risk for Davis' opponent, Rashad Evans. 

"You get in these positions," White said. "Look at Dos Santos. Dos Santos was next in line for the title. There's an injury, and he jumps out and fights Brock Lesnar. He could lose and lose that spot. And if he lost, yeah, Rashad could lose that spot, (too)."

Evans was originally scheduled to fight Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the light heavyweight title at UFC 128, but when Rua injured his knee, Evans decided to wait for the Brazilian to heal up. Unfortunately, it was Evans who then injured himself just six weeks prior to his title bout with Rua. It is a decision that had cost Evans his title shot.

White said he believes that Evans has run into some bad luck as of late.

"Rashad is a good guy. I just think he's made some bad decisions in the last year and a half," White said. 

However Evans can rub off the bad luck with a win over Davis and reposition himself into the title picture at UFC 133. But more importantly, White said this situation should give aspiring fighters a new outlook on fighting.

"This is one of those businesses," White said.

"When you get an opportunity in this business, you jump on it. You take it—especially for a guy like Davis. 'I automatically catapult to get the chance to fight Rashad Evans? I'm in.'"

UFC 133 is scheduled for Aug 6 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.