Rashad Evans

By FCF Staff

Now that Jon Jones has reached a plea deal, Rashad Evans likely isn’t fighting for a title shot this weekend, but “Suga” wasn’t counting on it anyways.

Earlier this week it was announced that Jones has been sentenced to 18 months of probation, following his arrest for a hit-and-run incident earlier this year. The news means that the former light-heavyweight champ could be back in the Octagon, sooner than many people think.

Evans is scheduled to fight Ryan Bader this Saturday at UFC 192, in what many believed, would determine who would challenge for the belt next. Champion Daniel Cormier is scheduled to fight Alexander Gustafsson at the card, but now the winner could face Jones in 2016.

While speaking to the media recently about Jones’ possible return, and what it means for Evans, the latter stated (quote via UFC.com):

“I kinda knew he was always going to be back in the mix. Everybody was talking about title implications and things like that [but] I knew Jones would come back,” Evans said. “So I didn’t really get it in my head that this was going to be the one that got me a title shot. I was just thankful for whatever came my way.”

Evans will be fighting for the first time since 2013, when he stopped Chael Sonnen. The former champ has been sidelined with knee injuries since.