Rashad Evans Plans Fall Return, Wants Ryan Bader in 1st Fight Back

The carousel at the top of the light heavyweight division spun off its usual course Wednesday, in part because one of its former champions, Rashad Evans, has apparently found a firm time frame for his return to action.

Evans apparently wants to get back in the UFC cage this September, after missing nearly two full years with a knee injury. And in his return, he wants one of the division's hotter commodities: Ryan Bader.

Broadcaster Ariel Helwani passed along the nugget Wednesday night on UFC Tonight (h/t Dave Doyle of MMA Fighting).

MMA fans originally expected that Bader might get a crack at Daniel Cormier, who won the vacant title in May at UFC 187. The title was vacant because of previous champion Jon Jones' indefinite suspension in the wake of his alleged role in a hit-and-run collision that left a pregnant woman with a broken arm.

However, UFC officials also revealed this week that Alexander Gustafsson, not Bader, has the inside track to challenge Cormier for the title. That leaves Bader (19-4) without an opponent at the moment. 

"

Suga is said to be returning to the Octagon in a few months. Still a big name and is on a win streak. A fight w/ Bader makes so much sense.

— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) June 4, 2015 "

Bader is in the midst of his best streak as a pro MMA fighter, having defeated Anthony Perosh, Rafael Cavalcante, Ovince Saint Preux and Phil Davis in succession. He was originally scheduled to face Cormier at UFC Fight Night 68 this Saturday in New Orleans, but the UFC canceled the bout and called up Cormier to replace Jones and fight Anthony Johnson for the title at UFC 187.

After Cormier won the belt, he and Bader traded some trash talk at the post-fight news conference, with each man saying he'd be willing to fight the other. 

Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

But now, if Cormier is indeed paired up with Gustafsson, Bader could face Evans (19-3-1), who won two straight in 2013 before the onset of his prolonged absence. 

Evans held the UFC light heavyweight title for about five months, defeating Forrest Griffin in December 2008 before losing to Lyoto Machida in May 2009. Evans also fought Jon Jones for the championship in 2012 but lost by unanimous decision.

A fight with Bader makes sense, even if observers have no idea how effective Evans will be given his long layoff and relatively advanced age (he turns 36 in September). Both are wrestlers and ground-and-pound specialists by trade, though both men (particularly Evans) have improved their stand-up games over the years.