UFC 128: Rashad Evans Potentially Leaves Greg Jackson's MMA Due to Jon Jones
The meteoric rise of Jon Jones is one that has been well documented and sensationalized by the MMA media, so much so that when one imagines the future of the UFC light heavyweight division, Jones is the first thing that comes to mind.
A fighter that one does not think of is Rashad Evans. Evans has been receiving less since he decided to wait for a title shot against Shogun, and even less attention since he had to pull out of the fight. Thus, as we all know, it was his teammate Jon Jones who was given Evans's shot at Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 128.
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The issue has, according to Chael Sonnen's twitter, caused Evans to leave Greg Jackson's famed MMA stable.
If true, this could be the origin of perhaps the biggest feud in UFC history since Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz—as well as the origin of a large payday for the UFC.
The marketing for the fight will no doubt emphasize how Evans's title shot was given to Jones while Evans had to give up the spotlight and sit on the sidelines.
It is likely that everyone would pick Jones to win in a hypothetical fight between the two. However, the fact that Evans has apparently left may indicate otherwise. If Evans truly knew that Jones was better than him and was constantly being beat up by Jones in training, he would have no reason to leave; he could hide behind the "I won't fight a teammate" card, à la Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch.
If Evans is so willing to leave, it is possible, however unlikely, that Evans feels that he gets the better of Jones in training and can beat him in a fight.
Still, one must not take all of this too far until more information is confirmed. After all, taking the word of a money launderer and alleged steroid user may not be the smartest thing to do!
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