Rashad Evans was eagerly anticipating his boxing debut against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, his longtime opponent. However, as the fight date approached, the UFC Hall of Famer became aware that the promoters were not honoring their commitments to the fighters.
This realization led to Evans and Jackson`s last-minute decision to withdraw from the event. They chose to avoid a potentially chaotic situation where they would fight without assurance of receiving their due payments.
“Negotiations broke down regarding the promises made to Rampage and myself before the fight. These promises were not kept,” Evans stated in an interview with MMA Fighting on Monday. “We attempted to find solutions to proceed, but there wasn`t enough time to satisfy everyone. Ultimately, all parties agreed it was best to cancel the fight. It was disappointing.”
Evans continued, “Firstly, we had been building up to this for a while, and we both trained hard for it. We weren`t taking it lightly. It was a serious focus for both of us. He is in excellent condition, and I got into great shape too. We were both really looking forward to it.”
While Evans didn`t go into specific contractual details, he confirmed that financial issues were a key factor in the decision to call off the fight.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion mentioned that he was aware of numerous stories in the industry where fighters were guaranteed certain payments but were cheated after the event. These stories influenced his decision to pull out.
“Finances definitely played a role,” Evans explained. “That’s where things started to go wrong. We couldn`t reach a satisfactory agreement ensuring we would be fully compensated before we had to commit to the fight, knowing everything would be handled post-fight. Our biggest concern was ending up in a situation where we wouldn`t receive the agreed-upon money after fighting.”
“There have been reports of fighters in boxing matches not receiving anywhere near their negotiated earnings. We implemented safety measures to ensure certain milestones were met, allowing us to confirm everything was in order. We couldn`t reach such an agreement in time.”
Evans recalled the situation with UFC veterans Jorge Masvidal and Nate Diaz, whose boxing match in July 2024 led to Diaz suing the promoter, Fanmio, for $9 million in allegedly unpaid earnings.
Masvidal later indicated to MMA Fighting potential payment issues from that event but stated “everything will be known” eventually.
This situation caught Evans`s attention and raised concerns about potentially facing a similar predicament with his and Rampage`s boxing match.
“Learning from the Diaz and Masvidal situation, we wanted to ensure we were protected and that all agreements were honored before stepping into the ring,” Evans said. “Unfortunately, it couldn`t be resolved in time.”
“They are still working on the event, so things are still developing. If a solution arises at the last minute, we might be able to make it happen. But as it stands, we cannot proceed.”
Despite their past rivalry in the UFC and plans to renew it in boxing, Evans confirmed he consulted with Rampage before cancelling the fight.
“We discussed it and ensured we were both comfortable withdrawing from this promotion and potentially rescheduling for a later date,” Evans said. “Despite being rivals in the ring, there`s a unique relationship with an opponent like Rampage. We share a special connection and fighting chemistry, which makes fighting more enjoyable.”
It’s understandably disappointing for both veteran fighters, who paused other commitments to prepare for this boxing match.
Although Evans maintains a regular training schedule, he isn’t currently undergoing the intense training camp required for a fight. With the Rampage fight cancelled, Evans will adjust his focus back to his usual activities but remains hopeful for rescheduling the bout.
Evans is open to working with a different promoter, possibly one associated with events like Misfits Boxing or even shows headlined by figures like Jake Paul.
“I will reassess, but I still want to box Rampage,” Evans stated. “I enjoyed dedicating myself to training and getting back into a fighting mindset. Since retiring from active fighting, I`ve been busy with other ventures, which are important. But I still have that competitive urge. Before fully transitioning into an elder statesman role, I want to experience that feeling again, maybe a couple more times.”
“If another opportunity arises with a promotion that can make it work for both of us, I’m in favor. It’s about ensuring we are both taken care of and that it makes sense for us. The influencer boxing market has created great opportunities, is popular with fans, and is enjoyable.”
Evans hasn’t completely abandoned hope for the Rampage boxing match, but he won`t dwell on issues beyond his control.
He has successfully transitioned to life after fighting, with business ventures and combat sports analysis work, providing ample occupation even if he still desires to face Rampage again.
“Life continues if this doesn’t happen immediately,” Evans concluded. “I’ll reduce my training to a couple of times a week and refocus on my businesses and activities outside of fighting.”
