TheOldAssassin

Do you know what is really going on here?

Well I'll be happy to fill you in: Winklejohn and Rashad are scheduled to appear together at a seminar at Renzo Gracie's in New York City, sponsored by Paradise Warrior Retreat, on June 9-10 (it was originally slated for May 5-6 but Rashad had to postpone for "medical reasons").

Winklejohn and Greg Jackson want to leave open the possibility of Rashad returning to their camp (note Rashad and Jackson's post-fight handshake at UFC 145) if and when Jon Jones is pressured into moving up to heavyweight.

And think about this: After Jones, who does Jackson have at 205?

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"Fighting is a sport; it is not a way to solve a problem" - Bas Rutten

Sports_Nerd

That's an interesting conspiracy theory, but I think it's pretty thin.

Rashad built a camp from scratch, and it's a camp with huge potential. He's not coming back.

And I really doubt Jackson will have a hard time finding and building up new prospects.

TheOldAssassin

That Rashad built that camp is a complete and total myth: It was actually "built" by a group of Brazilian fighters including the Villefort brothers, Jorge Santiago and JZ Cavalcante, who walked out on American Top Team in a temper tantrum over the new management group ATT was bringing in. This was all outlined in a thread one of Dan Lambert's underlings started on the UG around March 1st of last year. Rashad (and Mike van Arsdale) did not arrive on the scene until about three weeks later.

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"Fighting is a sport; it is not a way to solve a problem" - Bas Rutten

betking

I feel bad for Evans

TheOldAssassin

You're not the only one: Indeed, unless he moves down to 185 I see Rashad having a complete and thoroughgoing meltdown, much like the ones Jens Pulver and Ken Shamrock had after they lost their epic grudge matches to BJ and Tito, respectively; and even if Rashad does go down to 185, I see him doing no better than Wanderlei Silva has done since he moved down - after losing his grudge match to Rampage at UFC 92.

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"Fighting is a sport; it is not a way to solve a problem" - Bas Rutten

Sports_Nerd

Fair enough, but that camp would not have drawn the same quality of fighters without Rashad and Mike. I'd still count him as a co-founder. I'm not convinced there's even a remote chance of his going back to train with Jackson full time. There might be a public hatchet-burying at some point just because it would improve their collective images, but I don't see Rashad going back at all, and I don't see Jones moving up for at least a couple of years.

zarny

Simply put...close doesn't count.

There are countless fights where one fighter is within inches of stopping his opponent only to end up losing.

michelangelo

It's akin to saying Rashad had a puncher's chance. It's a nice warning though for young Bones Jones, though, esp. with Dan Hendo coming up, who will surely be flailing away (likely with utter futility) for as long as the fight lasts.

Freakshow

Pretty much every losing fighter was "a couple inches" from KOing his opponent. That's usually all that seperates a missed strike from the other guys head. And as for Rashads camp, how long is that epic win streak currently held by them?

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“A black belt only covers two inches of your ass. You have to cover the rest.” - Royce Gracie

HitOrGetHit

Rashad Evans would do much better than Wanderlei did. Wand was already over the hill,one dimensional and sloppy. Rashad is quick, powerful with good striking, awesome grappling and wrestling.

If Rashad moves to 185 he will tear through the division.

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Thanks M.C for the sig!