The UFC isn’t waiting to see how the Rampage Jackson retirement plays out: Rashad Evans says that Thiago Silva will likely be his next opponent.
Michael David Smith of AOL Fanhouse reported the news this afternoon shortly after speaking to Evans. Inside Fights has confirmed that preliminary discussions are under way for the bout, which could take place at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010.
“Thiago Silva is a good fighter, I’d like to fight him and I think he wants to fight me,” Evans said. “When I saw him after he fought Keith Jardine, he kind of gave me a nasty look that I interpreted like he wanted to take me on, and I’d like that.”
Evans believes that Jackson and UFC President Dana White will eventually mend the rift between them.
“It’s going to take Dana speaking with Rampage,” Evans said. “There was a communication breakdown between them. The UFC stuck by Rampage when they didn’t have to, and Rampage has also done a lot for the UFC, and they need to clear the air and get back on the same page. Dana and Rampage are friends and they should talk.”
Evans also acknowledged that he was offered a bout with Randy Couture for UFC 105 and details his reasons for turning the fight down.
