Evans vs. Kennedy at UFC 205 is canceled
The highly reliable Brett Okamoto has reported via his social network that the Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy fight at…
The highly reliable Brett Okamoto has reported via his social network that the Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy fight at UFC 205 is off.
With Dana White right now, tells me Evans/Kennedy is off due to an issue with Evans's medicals. More info to come.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 8, 2016
The unfortunate news has been confirmed via multiple sources.
The New York State Athletic Commission reportedly made the decision to keep Evans out of the fight as a precautionary measure. Evans provided some detail in a message to Ariel Helwani for MMA Fighting.
Evans reports that there were “irregular findings” in an MRI administered on October 19. The NYSAC directed Evans to take further tests, which the fighter reports that he passed. It is not clear if that is the case why the fight was canceled.
Both fighters will receive their show money.
“I’m disappointed,” wrote Evans. “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.”
“This doesn’t change the fact that I want to fight. This doesn’t change anything for me as far as fighting.”
“In life, if it ain’t one thing it’s another. I won’t get beat down by this.”
It is not known if the fight will be moved to a future event, but Kennedy is expected to weigh in, in case something happens to another fight on the card. No opponent is being sought for him at this time.
The fight was to have been Evans debut at middleweight, after losing his last two fights at light heavyweight, to Glover Teixeira and Ryan Bader. Evans has not won a fight since TKOing Chael Sonnen in the first at UFC 167 on November 16, 2013.
Kennedy has not fought since losing a highly controversial fight with Yoel Romero at UFC 178 on September 27, 2014. He has kept busy with a variety of efforts he has created including Ranger Up and Sheepdog Response, as well as an acting career. Prior to this fight, he said UFC 205 could be the last time he steps in the Octagon. It is difficult to imagine that this latest episode has done anything but further sour him on the sport.