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It took nearly three years, but the UFC light heavyweight strap is finally within Rashad Evans' grasp.
"Suga" dominated previously unbeaten prospect Phil Davis for five rounds in the main event of UFC on Fox 2 on Saturday night, earning a unanimous decision victory to solidify his claim as the division's number-one contender. Evans is now slated to fight his fiercest rival, UFC champion Jon Jones, at UFC 145 on April 21st, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. Full video highlights of Evan's victory can be seen below.
For more, catch the play-by-play by MMA Nation's own Luke Thomas.
ROUND 1 - Both fighters open orthodox. Davis with a body kick that misses. Hard outside leg kick from Davis and he's basically stalking. And another outside leg kick. Davis slips and they clinch against the fence. Davis tries to duck under a punch, but it's easily stuffed by Evans. Short right hand as Davis stands. Davis shoots again and is stuffed. Evans stand in the pocket and just misses. Superman punch to takedown from Davis misses. Evans catches a kick and trips Davis to the mat. Evans passes to side and now EVans has mounted crucifix. Bucking left and right Davis escapes, but he's still in side control.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Evans.
ROUND 2 -The fighters clinch to start and Davis lands an inside leg kick. Both fighters jabbing but not landing anything of consequence. Davis appears to be breathing heavy already. Evans charges in for a takedown, but can't get it. They clinch briefly, but separate. Davis lands a hard knee to the body, but Evans still doing all the stalking. Evans rips shots to the body and Davis seems a little confused. A little less action this round, but the former champion seems to be in control. Evans catches another kick and moves into side control.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Evans.
ROUND 3 - Davis attempts a single and it's stuffed. Davis trying to secure a takedown against the fence, but it's not doing and Evans is able to stand and puts Davis down. Evans, however, is able to secure a takedown of his late, but Davis continues to press to score points. Most of the damage and action was done by Evans, but he's now breathing hard and Davis was able to score.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Evans.
ROUND 4 - Front kick from Davis to open the frame, but it misses wildly. Body kick from Davis, but Evans is still stalking. Good jabs also from Evans and Davis shooting way from the outside. Davis finding his range with the jab. Pairs up the straight punches. Davis answers with a powerful kick to the body. Neither fighter finds their rangs. Rashad shoots in, gets top position. Davis turtles to his knees, Rashad on his back. Good scramble. Davis gets back to his feet. Evans controlling the cage. Good sprawl by Evans. Rashad lands a hard right.
MMA Nation scores this round 10-9 Evans.
ROUND 5 - Rashad catches Davis' kick and lands several hard punches before Davis falls and now Rashad is on top. Evans passes to side control and into the mounted crucifix. Davis gets out and gives up his back. Davis stands up. Big right by Rashad. Big right hand by Rashad and Davis' legs almost give out. Very hard leg kick by Evans now. Righ hand by Davis. Rashad just misses with a big uppercut and a wild right hand. Right hand by Rashad. 10-9 Rashad, clean sweep.
UFC on Fox 2 results: Rashad Evans def. Phil Davis via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)