Yahoo Sports Rashad Evans: ‘I’m Riding a Real Low Right Now’
In November 2013, former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans was riding a two-fight winning streak and poised to make another title run in the 205-pound division. Instead, his career was detoured by injury.
A reoccurring knee injury, surgery, and rehabilitation would keep “Suga” sidelined for nearly two years. He returned to action at UFC 192 in October, losing to Ryan Bader by unanimous decision. In his next outing, at UFC on FOX 19 on April 16, Glover Teixeira knocked Evans out.
During the event’s post-fight press conference, a dejected and embarrassed Evans spoke about losing two consecutive fights at this point in his career.
“It’s disappointing to say the least. I’ve been in this sport for a while. I’ve been at the top. I’m riding a real low right now,” he said.
“When you’re at this point, you’ve just got to re-evaluate everything,” said the 36-year-old.
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The loss to Teixeira leaves a long road to the top of the division for the former champion. He’s left pondering what changes to make, while still trying to remain positive.
“I don’t want to lose hope. I don’t want to lose heart in fighting because that’s what I love to do. But at the end of the day, something has to change. I’ve got to do something better. It’s embarrassing. It’s sad, but welcome to being a fighter,” said Evans.
“It’s easy to fight and go through it when you’re always on top and you’re doing everything well. The hardest thing is working through the disappointment, working through doubting yourself, and everything else like that. It’s not easy,” he added.
UFC president Dana White believes that Evans will retire following the loss to Teixeira, but Evans has made no indication that he’s ready to hang up the gloves.
