Rashad Evans, Tim Kennedy, UFC 205
As noted although it has yet to be announced publicly by the UFC themselves, the 185-pound debut of Rashad Evans against Tim Kennedy has been cancelled and won’t be part of the scheduled lineup for this Saturday’s UFC 205: Alvarez vs. McGregor pay-per-view event in New York City.
According to reports by both ESPN.com and MMAFighting.com, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion was forced off the card by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) due to an issue with his medicals for the fight.
After the news broke on multiple MMA internet outlets on Tuesday afternoon, Evans spoke with MMAFighting.com, confirming the fact that his fight with Kennedy is off, while elaborating a bit on what led to the fight being scratched. He wouldn’t, however, reveal what the specific medical issue was that is keeping the NYSAC from allowing him to fight this weekend.
“I’m disappointed,” Evans said. “I’m healthy. I don’t want anyone worrying about me. I’m fine, physically speaking. Never felt better. It’s just the commission and their rules. I guess they have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this.”
“Man, I had something special for Tim,” Evans said of his plans for his Middleweight debut against Kennedy at what is expected to be the biggest event in UFC history this Saturday. This doesn’t change the fact that I want to fight. This doesn’t change anything for me as far as fighting.”
Featuring the “Champion vs. Champion” bout between UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor and UFC Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez, with Alvarez’s 155-pound UFC Title on the line, UFC 205 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 12th from the world-famous Madison Square Garden arena in New York City.
Join us here at MMANews.com on 11/12 for the best round-by-round live results coverage of the historic UFC 205 pay-per-view.
