I have created a poll on the topic.
If the situation arises should Evans fight Jones. VOTE HERE.
"Suga" Rashad Evans was slated to meet Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC light heavyweight title at UFC 128, but an injury forced him to withdraw from the bout. Jon "Bones" Jones replaced Evans on the fight card presenting an interesting dilemma for Evans and Jones if "Bones" is able to capture the title from Rua.
Evans and Jones are training partners and friends. They have vowed they will not fight each other, even for a UFC title.
Trevor Wittman, the head coach at Grudge Training Center, has worked with Evans in the past and he feels Evans would be making a big mistake if he refuses to fight Jones should he win the title.
Speaking to Sherdog Radio Network's Savage Dog Show, Wittman offered the following, “It makes for a great fight. I think Rashad’s got the speed to do it. I think it’s just one of those things [that] makes for great media. To see two guys go out there, you’re fighting to make a legacy. You’re going out there and fighting one of your training partners, I think it’s a great thing. I think it’s great for the sport. A lot of people think we’re just brutal guys that kick each other’s ass. If we’re not in that mindset of brutality, you should be able to fight your friends, especially if there’s a world title on the line.”
Beside the fact it would make for a great fight, Wittman feels it would be a huge mistake on Evans' part to turn down a fight against Jones, not only for his family, but in regard to his standing with UFC president Dana White.
"If Rashad steps back and says, ‘I ain’t going to fight Jon Jones,’ he’s putting his family on the line. He’s putting his career on the line. Dana White already doesn’t like him. I don’t want to say Dana White doesn’t like him but doesn’t like the decisions he’s made, so he’s going to smear that all over the Internet. It’s going to be horrible for Rashad’s career.”
At this point all of the "what if" talk is pure speculation, but if Jones does defeat Rua on March 19th in Newark, New Jersey, the question of a Jones versus Evans fight will arise very quickly.
