Rashad Evans To Make Welterweight Debut Vs. Tim Kennedy at UFC 205

The UFC 205 fight card is beginning to shape up.

After Dana White’s confirmation earlier this week that the papers for the Robbie Lawler-Donald Cerrone welterweight bout at UFC 205 has been signed and delivered, another blockbuster matchup is reportedly close to being put to paper:

Third Weight Class

Former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Rashad Evans talked about moving down to middleweight following back to back losses to Ryan Bader and Glover Teixeira. The Niagara Falls, New York native had been campaigning for a welterweight debut at the UFC’s first ever card in New York at UFC 205. Now Sugar has gotten his wish granted. The 36-year old Blackzilians standout will be facing Tim Kennedy at UFC 205 and will be making his appearance in a third UFC weight class.

It can be recalled that Evans first fought as a heavyweight in the UFC, winning the Ultimate Fighter Season 2 Heavyweight tournament despite being the second smallest contestant in the show. But Evans became a household name in the light heavyweight division, knocking out Forrest Griffin at UFC 92 to capture the UFC’s 205 pound title. One fight earlier, Evans scored the Knockout of The Year when he stopped legend Chuck Liddell in the second round of their UFC 88 bout in 2008. Since then, injuries have played a big role in Evans’ career.

Former Teammate

Welcoming Evans to the middleweight division will be former Jackson Wink teammate Tim Kennedy:

The former US Special Forces member and ranger hasn’t fought since losing a controversial bout to Yoel Romero in 2014. Since that defeat, Kennedy has flirted with retirememt and is coming off a gig in a documentary show in the History channel called “Hunting Hitler”. He is also slated to appear in an indie movie called Ranger 15 later this year.

Kennedy is currently ranked 11th in the UFC’s middleweight division. He has an MMA record of 18-5 with 6 knockouts and 8 victories by submission. His last Octagon victory was a unanimous decision win over current UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping during the Ultimate Fighter: Nations finale in 2014.

New Yorkers in 205

Evans thus becomes the third New Yorker confirmed for the UFC 205 event. Earlier, Al Iaqunita was added to the New York card and  will be facing Thiago Alves. Heavyweight Gian Villante, also from New York, will be fighting Marcos Rogerio De Lima on the November 12th event in Madison Square Garden. Another New Yorker in former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman is likely going to be added too. Weidman is rumored to be facing Yoel Romero in a possible title contender match up.