Source: MMA Fighting

Rashad Evans is happy that he has a new camp that has his back, but he isn’t over talking about what happened at Greg Jackson’s camp. If you saw episode 1 of UFC Primetime: Jones vs Evans, you can see Evans is still definitely hurt by the split and betrayed to hear Jackson is going to corner Jones at their fight. This is by far the most exciting fight we are going to see all year because the drama leading up to it seems real. Evans really seems to hate Jackson and wants to hurt Jones. Evans points to Jackson becoming more “Hollywood” as the reason for their rift. Evans said that leading up to his fight with Lyoto Machida, striking coach Mike Winkeljohn was going through some medical problems, Jackson was so busy with other fighters, he didn’t put in enough prep work with Evans. Evans felt unprepared for the Machida fight which resulted in the only loss of his career. After the fight, Evans said no one called him to make sure he was ok which really hurt him and caused the rift.

Then, when Jon Jones entered the gym, Evans knew there could be a rivalry as both were talented individuals and Jones was on the rise. Evans thought he could diffuse the situation in the same way that he and Keith Jardine used to. But Evans didn’t know that Jones’ management had other ideas. Evans says the Versus interview was surprising but that he had heard from others that Jones was “talking trash” even before then. That led to Evans to leave Greg Jackson’s camp. But Jackson and Evans were still on good terms as Jackson decided to stay out of it and not corner either men. What led Jackson to change his mind was striking coach Mike Winkeljohn who led Jackson to believe Evans was throwing Jackson under the bus too much and criticizing Jackson’s MMA in his interviews. Winkeljohn confirms he convinced Jackson to change his mind. Now, its Jackson and Winkeljohn vs Evans, Jones vs Evans, Jackson’s MMA vs the Blackzilians–and the UFC light heavyweight title is on the line. UFC 145 is under two weeks away. Who will win? I don’t know but the lead up will be well worth it. Can’t Wait!!!

Update 4/12/2012: Think the drama between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans is fake? Check out part 1 of UFC Counterpunch that aired on UFC Ultimate Insider this week hosted by Jon Anik. Anik interviews the two fighters face to face similar to the way HBO does for boxing with Max Kellerman. You can see the anger and hate in Evans’ face and how Jones really wants to show Evans that he has grown as a fighter. Part 2 airs next week.

Update 4/16/2012: Part 2 of UFC Counterpunch is now available. Watch Jon Jones and Rashad Evans go at it. Its funny watching the clip because Jones can’t even look Rashad in the eyes. He is just looking down while talking at him. And when Rashad still says he is the champ, Jones comes up with some funny remarks. Check it out.