UFC: Dana White Says Rashad Evans Has the Next Light Heavyweight Title Shot

Perhaps the media’s fascination with a possible Jon Jones-Rashad Evans showdown was more reasonable than many fans initially thought. 

UFC president Dana White let it be known on ESPN’s MMA Live program that Rashad Evans will have the next shot at the light heavyweight title. 

He will face the winner of Saturday's Mauricio Rua vs. Jon Jones title bout at UFC 128. 

To sum up what White said on the show:

"Wee have to see what happens here. We have to see who comes out of this fight unscathed and who is ready to roll again without injuries. Yeah, Rashad [Evans] is definitely next in line."

So, not much ambiguity there: Evans vs. Jones in a showdown between arguably the top two Jackson’s Submission Fighting teammates is narrowed down to a 50/50 possibility.

Remember the days when Evans and Bones would never fight each other?  Yeah, well, those days are over.

Evans had a lengthy appearance on Pro MMA Radio, stating that should a fight with Jones come to fruition, he will leave Team Jackson. 

If that happens, do not expect Evans to ever return to Team Jackson:

“This situation is bigger than just me and Jon, it's a team," Evans said. "Just like the 155'ers are gonna have to decide 'Okay, now we gotta separate, we gotta go.' If we gotta fight, then we gotta get away from each other."

Evans added, "I just have to sit down and decide, 'What’s it gonna be?' because there's never gonna be no going back.”

Jones has been less vocal about the potential light heavyweight showdown, flipping out on the media recently for asking so many questions about a potential fight rather than the upcoming title fight. 

The controversy really began to stir when MMA striking coach Trevor Whitman stated that Evans would be making a mistake by not fighting Jones if given the opportunity. 

Any way you slice it, we know what the future holds for the light heavyweight title scene within the UFC. 

It holds a title bout between Rashad Evans and either Jon Jones and Mauricio Rua; tune in to the UFC 128 main event to find out if the heavily anticipated Jones vs. Evans bout will finally become a reality.