Former UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans finally has a new opponent after it was announced that he’ll fight Antonio Rogerio Nogueira early next year.
So far there’s no official date for their fight, but it’s been suggested that it could end up on the UFC’s traditional Superbowl weekend card in February of 2013 which would be held in Las Vegas.
After being defeated by current 205lb title holder Jon Jones back in April, the 33 year-old had indicated that he was considering moving down to the middleweight division in the hopes of lining up another title shot, this time against Anderson Silva, but instead he’s chosen to stick in the division that made him a star for the time being.
Meanwhile, Nogueira, who hasn’t fought since a win over Tito Ortiz at the tail-end of last year, made it clear last week that he was itching for a fight when he pleaded with UFC president Dana White to give him the chance to replace Chael Sonnen as Forrest Griffin’s opponent at UFC 155 in December.
He was no doubt disappointed when Phil Davis was given that opportunity instead, but now he’s faced with what could be seen as a more meaningful fight as he looks to establish himself as a major threat again in the light-heavyweight division.
