[gattaca]

The LHW division of the UFC is filled with talented and exciting fighters. Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Renato "Babalu" Sobral, Forrest Griffin etc. Babalu is the #1 Contender and Tito Ortiz will likely fight the winner of Babalu/Liddell. Forrest Griffin is fighting Stephen Bonnar, who was recently defeated by Rashad Evans.

When the smoke clears from these upcoming bouts, where do you think Rashad Evans will be in terms of rankings in the UFC LHW division and will he be able to claim a spot as #1 contender and secure a title shot for himself? Who will he have to beat to become the #1 contender?

[hohner]

No way will he be a contender until he learns how to finish a fight.

[dutchgenius]

he is a lay and pray artist

he needs to fight Lambert, Griffin, Tito, Lister, Hammil, Bisping, etc so he can get owned by people who know how to finish fights. who as Rashad beaten convincingly anyway? Baonnar? oooooohhhhhh...

[Jor-EL]

Until he develops a decent finishing game on the ground, he's a nobody.

[a_knockout]

IMO no, he seems to have the power but never ko's his opponent.

[COBRA03]

I think its way to early to tell, but he is very tough, has good takedowns, and decent punching power. However, Does he know how to defend subs? Can he take a punch from a REAL puncher? He doesn't seem to be well rounded yet, so his next fight should be against someone that gives us alittle better idea.
To answer the question, I don't think he will ever be champ!

[Wrestler189]

lambert would ko him. I wanna see that fight!

[nose_guard_66]

Rashad has a chance to be a contender I suppose. He's gotta learn to finish fights and not LnP his way to decision victories.

Honestly right now he hasn't got a prayer against Chuck, and he'd have to make his way through Ortiz or Babalu, neither of which I think he could LnP his way to victory.

I think honestly the best thing for Evans would be to put him against somebody with superior ground skills that would smash him utterly standing or on the ground. Reason being
#1 I'd like to see him lose, I just plain don't like him
#2 I think getting delt a viscious loss would be a great catalyst for re-tooling his game and coming back better than ever.

[johnkordic]

I would rank him as boring, just above unwatchable, and just below pretty good

[beefalobilly]

rashad seems like a decent fellow, but I can't wait until his contract is up...