Getty Logan Paul.
A UFC Hall of Famer is coming out of retirement so he can target the likes of social media superstar Logan Paul and ex-boxing champ Roy Jones Jr. for exhibition boxing bouts. Rashad Evans, 41, retired from professional prizefighting back in 2018. He’s a former UFC light heavyweight champion, and he’s shared the Octagon with some of the biggest names the sport has ever seen. Now, according to a report by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Evans wants to step inside a boxing ring against Paul or Jones.
Okamoto posted, “Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) is coming out of retirement, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00). Discussions are already underway for his return. Not surprising, considering the climate of combat sports right now. Targeted opponents include Logan Paul and Roy Jones.”
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Paul and Jones Just Competed in Boxing Bouts, Evans Wants To Join Them
Both Paul and Jones are coming off of eight-round exhibition boxing bouts against boxing legends.
Paul, 26, faced retired boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr., 44, on June 6. No winner was announced in that fight as part of the special rules for the bout, but Paul surprised most pundits by going the distance with arguably the best fighter of the last 50 years.
Jones Jr., 52, went toe-to-toe for the same duration against former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, 54, in November 2020. That fight was scored by three special celebrity judges as a split draw, though most pundits seemed to think Tyson deserved the nod. Regardless, both Jones and Tyson looked solid in the fight.
Meanwhile, Evans hasn’t competed since losing his final UFC fight to Anthony Smith at UFC 225 in July 2018. That made it five straight losses for the former UFC champ, and he called it quits soon after that performance.
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Evans Is Ending Retirement For Boxing Matches Not UFC Fights
His last win came against Chael Sonnen back in 2013. That’s a long time ago in the world of unarmed combat, but Evans isn’t planning a return to the MMA world.
Instead, the American seems to be hoping he can cash in on his name and score some dough in the world of boxing.
It’s a trend that seems to be on the rise right now. Evans would be just the latest former MMA star to step inside a boxing ring against the likes of a YouTuber or a legit pro boxer.
Former UFC superstar Anderson Silva decided to do it against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 19. Ben Askren did it with Jake Paul earlier this year, and former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley is next on the list to fight Paul on August 28.
Heck, fellow former UFC light heavyweight champ Vitor Belfort is fighting boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya on September 11.
If Evans has his way, he’ll be the next former UFC star to get the same kind of boxing match.
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