Issue 088
May 2012
Traveling from TUF 2 victory up to UFC light heavyweight gold and back to number-one contender status is enough for any man to covet a little ‘Suga’ style
COMBINATIONS
Rashad uses classic boxing combinations to great
effect, always waiting for the right moment to throw. Because of his good timing he doesn't waste much of his work, and has a high rate of success when he attempts a takedown.
IN THE GYM
Try these Rashad combos out on the pads and really try to mimic Evans’ powerful style especially on the tackle.
In Action
Watch the highly charged Evans vs Rampage fight from UFC 114 to see how Rashad timed and applied these combinations to work his way to a unanimous decision back in 2010.
FOOTWORK
Rashad uses a lot of motion to defend and attack, moving his feet fast and misdirecting with feints. Although he began his UFC career relying on his wrestling prowess, years under the striking tutelage of Greg Jackson right-hand man Mike Winkeljohn and with boxing trainer Trevor Wittman in Denver have transformed Evans’ stand-up game.
IN THE GYM
Work purely on defense by sparring in MMA gloves with a partner wearing 16oz boxing gloves. Your partner can hit you, but you can only block, parry and cover up. The goal is not to simply run away, but to stay in striking range, using your foot and body movement to defend yourself. So, keep the power low, but the movement fast.
In Action
At UFC 88 back in 2008, Rashad Evans opted to keep it standing with the brick-fisted former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and used his movement to avoid Liddell’s big shots. Ultimately he would knock ‘The Iceman’ out in the second round.
GROUND ‘N’ POUND
As with the vast majority of wrestlers, getting his opponent on their back in order to unload damaging ground ‘n’ pound is a priority for Rashad. Even against highly decorated college wrestler Phil Davis in January, Evans sought to take Davis to the canvas and drop methodical punches. If successfully applied, it’s a great way to demoralize and drain opponents.
IN THE GYM
Have your pad man play an open guard holding a kick shield or wearing a belly pad. Control his legs while you throw down punches, and include plenty of hammer fists, just like Rashad.
In Action
Rashad's brutal punches put Forrest Griffin out cold back at UFC 92 in Las Vegas at the end of 2008, after Evans cradled Griffin’s open guard from standing position to launch his fight-ending strikes.
WRESTLING
Rashad uses a few standard wrestling finishes, perfectly adapted for the cage. He drives his man back with a punch combination before shooting in from close range, and finishes his high double-leg off the cage wall with a conventional turn or over the head.
IN THE GYM
Put your punch combinations together, driving your pad man back. Each time you maneuver him to the edge of your area, grip up just below his butt and lift, finishing on either side.
In Action
Study Rashad's 2011 UFC 133 rematch with Tito Ortiz, his UFC 108 fight with Thiago Silva in 2010 or his UFC 78 split-decision win over Bisping in 2007 for some great examples of the high double off the fence.
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