Dana White confirms UFC considering Rashad Evans for Anderson Silva bout after UFC 156

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After Michael Bisping lost to Vitor Belfort, the UFC's options to fight Anderson Silva became a lot less clear. Now, they've got two fighters in particular in mind: Chris Weidman, and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans.

UFC President Dana White confirmed on Thursday that those two fighters were the names the UFC was considering for the next title shot against Silva, though nothing has been determined either way.

"I would consider Rashad," White responded on Thursday during a media day for UFC 156 (via MMAFighting.com. "If Rashad won on Saturday night and wanted to go to 185, we would consider that."

When asked if Evans was the front runner if he indeed beats Antonio Rogerio Nogueira on Saturday night, White said, "I'm considering it."

Evans said he'd accept the fight if it was offered after Saturday night, but it may depend on what he looks like at UFC 156 and which direction the UFC ultimately wants to go with Silva's next fight.

Penick's Analysis: Though White wouldn't come out and say Evans was the front runner, it seems to be the situation at hand, and it might just come down to whether or not he has a good performance against Nogueira on Saturday, and how quickly he can return. For Weidman, it's a waiting game, and if Evans wins and can return before July, the UFC might be interested in booking that fight by May. Weidman still has a chance in this situation, but I do still believe he's behind Evans at the moment.

[Rashad Evans art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_15801.shtml

Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie