Following his removal from UFC 205 a few weeks ago, when the New York State Athletic Commission declined Rashad Evans a license, lightning has struck twice as the same thing has happened with the Ontario Athletic Commission in relation to UFC 206.
It’s not been the best of times for former UFC light heavyweight champion. He was scheduled to fight Tim Kennedy at UFC 205 in Madison Square Garden but was declined a fight license due to a medical issue. Following that bout removal, all parties were hopeful that the fight would switch UFC 206, however, that’s now no longer the case with the UFC releasing an official statement yesterday.
“UFC has been notified by the Ontario Athletic Commission that it has declined to approve a license for middleweight Rashad Evans, based on the recent medical issue that prohibited him from competing at UFC 205 in New York City,” read the statement. “As a result, Evans’ rescheduled bout against Tim Kennedy, set for UFC 206 in Toronto on Saturday, December 10, has subsequently been cancelled.
“The UFC organization takes the health and safety of all athletes competing under the UFC banner very seriously and has encouraged Evans to take all the appropriate time to consult with his physicians and properly evaluate his medical status prior to scheduling any future bouts.”
Following speculation this could be the end of the road for the UFC veteran, Evans took to twitter allay any fears of a potential retirement.
“The UFC have been very helpful with making sure I am ok and getting this cleared up,” Evans tweeted. “I apologize to Tim Kennedy for the inconvenience. Despite the latest news on not getting a license to fight in Toronto I am 100% healthy. I will not retire. Thank you for the support.”
As for Kennedy, his intentions are to carry on with his camp while the UFC matchmakers try and find him an opponent for December 10th.
“I am not fighting Rashad Evans at UFC 206,” Kennedy tweeted. “My opponent is TBD. I am still moving forward as if I am fighting. Longest fight camp in history.”
He later tweeted calling out former middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
