The Doggy Bag: ‘The Five W’s’ Edition

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I was surprised Rashad Evans lasted until the final bell against Jon Jones, which no one else could, but I am still doubting his future at 205 pounds. It's not that there aren't interesting fights, either, because I would love to see a rematch with Lyoto Machida, or fights with Mauricio Rua and Dan Henderson. None of those fights would get him another crack at Jones, though, and I don't know who would want to see it after how Jones dominated. Is there potential for Evans to challenge for the title at 185 pounds or should he stick it out and hope Jones moves

Tristen Critchfield, associate editor: During the UFC 145 post-fight press conference, a member of the media posed a similar question to Evans. His response: “I’m a 205-pounder. I’ve only lost twice and I lost to a good competitor ... but if an opportunity happens at 185, I’ll take it. But I like 205, I’ll just have to work my way back up and get back to a title shot.”

It really is all about opportunity. Evans need look no further than his good buddy and former Jackson’s MMA teammate Keith Jardine to understand that. Like Evans, Jardine competed on Season 2 of “The Ultimate Fighter” as an undersized heavyweight before carving out a nice career at 205 pounds in the UFC. Jardine fell on hard times in the Octagon, but he was enough of a name to receive a Strikeforce title shot in his middleweight debut this past January. We all know how barren the Strikeforce roster has become, so this is not to suggest that Evans would get an immediate matchup with the Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen winner should he make a similar choice, but it is hard to imagine him anywhere outside the division’s Top 5.

There are worthwhile fights to be made at 205 -- as you mentioned, it would be interesting to see how Evans would fare in a rematch with Machida, but for the most part the landscape has grown stale. Considering how badly Jones beat the likes of Machida and Rua, it’s unlikely that victories over either man would propel Evans back into title contention. If he remains at light heavyweight, “Suga” needs a solid run -- at least three or four wins -- to justify a rematch with Jones. Depending on injuries and matchmaking that could take two years -- or more. At 32, Evans doesn’t have time to wait for that, or a Jones transition to heavyweight.

It would be prudent for Evans to act while he is still at or near the peak of his powers, and the best way to do so would be to test the 185-pound waters. Consider the current middleweight hierarchy: Would you bet against Evans in bouts against the likes of Mark Munoz, Michael Bisping [whom he has beaten at 205 pounds], Tim Boetsch, Yushin Okami or Brian Stann? The quick hands of Vitor Belfort could pose a problem if Evans decided to stand and trade with the Brazilian, but overall Evans has the skill set to become a significant player in a short period of time.

The Imperial Athletics Representative has never been a massive light heavyweight -- in pictures he often appears dwarfed by welterweight/middleweight training partner Anthony Johnson -- and his wrestling would play a much more prominent role against smaller opponents. Despite all the hype surrounding Evans’ Michigan State wrestling pedigree, 24 of his 48 career takedowns came in his first three light heavyweight appearances; the other half have come in his 11 subsequent bouts. Whether you attribute that to his evolved striking, evolved opposition, or a little of both, it would be interesting to see how he would incorporate his wrestling against the most dangerous strikers of the middleweight division.

Evans’ resume at 205 is undeniably impressive, but no one is clamoring for a Jones rematch anytime soon. His best chance for a title shot in the near future comes at 185 pounds. It was a move he said he was going to make to avoid facing Jones before their feud began. With that chapter in his career now closed, it’s time to revisit that notion.

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