Rashad Evans Vs. Chael Sonnen Set For UFC 167 Co-Main Event
Rashad Evans and Chael Sonnen will face off in a light heavyweight bout in the co-main event of UFC 167.
Sonnen confirmed the match during the Fox Sports 1 pre-fight show before UFC Fight Night 28 Wednesday.
“The most well-dressed man, future Hall of Famer, former world champion Rashad Evans,” Sonnen said. “He will be fighting on Nov. 16 against the man with the biggest arms, the greatest charms and does all the harm. You simply know him as Chael P.”
Sonnen made his return to light heavyweight against champion Jon Jones at UCF 159 on April 27. Jones won the match by TKO at 4:33 in the first round. Sonnen scored a submission victory over Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at 4:47 in the first round at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen on August 17. Prior to that, he hadn’t fought at 205 pounds since his UFC debut at UFC 55 in October 2005.
Evans told ESPN.com that he was excited about the match.
“To have a fighter in front of you that motivates you to train, motivates you to go out there and bust your ass in training camp so that the fight will be easy, is something I haven’t had in a while,” Evans said.
Neither man is above trash talking his opponent, but Evans said he knows where to draw the line with Sonnen.
“I will keep [the trash talk] above the belt. will keep it about the fight, not talk about him as a person. Trash talk can be a bit fun. But it can get serious to the point where we really have to fight each other,” Evans said. “But you know where to leave it; you’re not going to take it too far. You’re not going to let it upset you, or let it emotionally hurt you because this is not that kind of trash-talking game.”
UFC 167 will be headlined by welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre versus top contender Johny Hendricks in a title bout. UFC 167 will be held November 16 in Las Vegas.
