Wrestlemania?
Undefeated UFC light heavyweight contender Phil Davis is "never going to abandon his wrestling," no matter how much he evolves as a mixed martial arts fighter, because it's his "strong suit."
It should come as no surprise then, to learn that "Mr. Wonderful" intends on putting Rashad Evans on his back when they hook 'em up in the UFC on FOX 2 main event next month in Chicago.
There's just one problem.
Evans, himself an accomplished wrestler, doesn't "stand around too much and do things that a wrestler is looking for him to do," which means his footwork will dictate when -- and if -- his opponent can get this thing to the ground.
"Suga" breaks it all down for Fight Hype:
"I'm approaching this fight as Phil Davis is trying to make a big name for himself off of me because a lot of people don't know who Phil Davis is. I know he's coming with that mindset as spoiler, so I'm just going to go in there and show the world why I should be fighting for the title and why I'm the #1 contender and why I am the best light heavyweight in the division. I'll bet anything, dog, I'll bet anything he'll definitely be the first to shoot in on me. I just think that's where he wants to take the fight. I think that's where he thinks his game works best at. I don't think he's going to try and bang with me. I definitely believe he's going to try and take me down ... I know where to move and where to circle and things I should do when I'm fighting somebody who is looking for the takedown or has the ability to take me down. I don't stand around too much and do things that a wrestler is looking for me to do. I think that Phil has a great pedigree in wrestling, but this is MMA, and MMA and wrestling are not the same. There are differences when it comes to going for a takedown and transitioning into punches and takedowns; there is a big difference there and if you don't transition well into that, it doesn't matter if you are a 3-time world champion, if you don't have all aspects of the game, you won't be taking anybody down."
Any time spent on the feet has to be seen as a huge advantage for the more experienced Evans, but can the same be said for Davis if he can put the former champion on his back? Or will the former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 champion surprise us with his defensive grappling?
How does this fight play out?
"Evans vs. Davis," emanating from Chicago's United Center, will headline the Jan. 28, 2012, broadcast, which kicks off the promotion's seven year, $100 million agreement with the network television powerhouse. Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz and Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia are also featured on the "Windy City" fight card.
To see the current UFC on FOX 2 fight card and line-up click here.
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