UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans Will Get ‘Primetime’ Special Treatment

Three-part special coming to FX, Fuel, Fox Sports

One of the biggest grudge matches in MMA history is right around the corner, and the fight will be getting the “UFC Primetime” treatment.

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and challenger and former champion Rashad Evans will be the focus of a three-part “UFC Primetime” special for their main event. The two fight April 21 at UFC 145 in Atlanta. For the next three Fridays leading into the event, the FX cable network will broadcast the specials.

The first episode will air April 6 at 11 p.m. Eastern, immediately following “The Ultimate Fighter LIVE.” The second and third episodes will air in the same time period on April 13 and April 20, with the conclusion of the three-part special airing the night before Jones and Evans fight. Additionally, replays of the episodes will air on Fuel TV as well as Fox Sports affiliates across the country.

Jones and Evans, as has been well documented, are former friends and training partners at the Greg Jackson camp in Albuquerque, N.M. Evans was scheduled to get a shot at then-champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128 a year ago. But an injury forced him out of the fight, and Jones was given a shot at the belt. Prior to the fight, Jones gave an interview and said he would have no problem fighting Evans if that’s what the UFC wanted. And just like that, Evans left the Jackson camp and the grudge was on.

Jones, of course, went on to win the belt from Rua at UFC 128, then defended it with relative ease against Rampage Jackson at UFC 135 and Lyoto Machida at UFC 140. Evans dominated Phil Davis two months ago in Chicago to cement his spot against Jones in three weeks. Evans has gone 4-0 since losing his title to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98 in May 2009.

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