UFC on FOX features Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis

FOX’s second live UFC event features a pair of elimination bouts at the United Center in Chicago as Rashad Evans battles Phil Davis and Chael Sonnen fights Mark Munoz. The winner of Evans-Davis will challenge the UFC light heavyweight champion, while the Sonnen-Munoz winner will take on middleweight champ Anderson Silva. FOX and the UFC are hoping for a little better (or at least longer) match than their first collaboration back in November, when the much-hyped live heavyweight title match between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. Dos Santos stopped Velasquez at 1:04 in the first round, putting a quick and disappointing end to months of buildup by FOX and UFC. Full schedule and release from FOX, including the weigh-ins and preliminary bouts on FUEL TV:

UFC on FOX Officially Begins Partnership with Tripleheader from Chicago
Saturday Night

UFC ON FOX TRIPLEHEADER LIVE FROM CHICAGO SATURDAY NIGHT
UFC on FOX officially kicks off  its partnership with a two-hour
tripleheader broadcast on Saturday, Jan. 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET), live from
the United Center in Chicago.  In the night’s main event, former light
heavyweight champion Rashad Evans (21-1-1) takes on undefeated former
national champion wrestler Phil Davis (9-0-0) to determine the next
challenger to the 205-pound title currently held by Jon Jones. The co-main
event features middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) battling
British star Michael Bisping (23-3-0) for the right to fight champion
Anderson Silva.  The action begins with dangerous Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
master Demian Maia (15-3-0) taking on unbeaten Chris Weidman (7-0-0).
Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan call all the action inside the Octagon and
versatile broadcaster Curt Menefee hosts pre- and postfight coverage with
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and the aforementioned Jon Jones offering
their insights on the action.  During prefight coverage, fans get a
special behind-the-scenes look at preparation for their big night in
Chicago, including a feature on Rashad Evans as he and
his family balance the excitement of being part of the main event in
Chicago with the stress and tension of his brother’s impending
deployment.

“This is the show that officially starts our deal with FOX and we’re
bringing what the fans want – a night packed with great fights,” UFC
President Dana White said. “We’re kicking this thing off with an
incredible tripleheader. Rashad Evans looked fantastic in his last fight
against Tito Ortiz and he wants to get the belt back. But Phil Davis is no
joke. He’s undefeated at 9-0 and has stormed through guys like Brian
Stann, Alexander Gustafsson and Rogerio Nogueira. He wants the title shot
just as bad as Rashad.”

The weekend’s action kicks off Friday, Jan. 27 (5:00 PM ET) with the live
“UFC on FUEL TV: Weigh-in.”  Jay Glazer hosts the show while UFC veteran
and FUEL TV’s “UFC Tonight” host  Kenny Florian steps in as the analyst,
commenting on all the activities from Chicago. Two-time MMA Journalist of
the Year Ariel Helwani interviews fighters backstage. FUEL TV coverage continues
Saturday, Jan. 28 (5:00 PM ET) with three hours of live preliminary bouts. Glazer
is joined by Florian to introduce the fight, while Mike Goldberg and Joe
Rogan call the action live inside the Octagon. Helwani will interview
fighters live backstage. Following these preliminary matchups on FUEL TV
and three main events on FOX Sports, coverage returns to FUEL TV for
the post-fight wrap-up show (10:00 PM ET).

History was made in November when the UFC made its broadcast
television debut on FOX and a record audience tuned in as challenger
Junior dos Santos defeated defending champion Cain Velasquez in a first
round knockout to claim the coveted heavyweight crown. More than 5.7
million viewers tuned in to make it the most-watched UFC event ever and
the most-watched professional fight of any kind on any network since
2003.

FLORIAN:  IT’S TOO EARLY FOR DAVIS TO FIGHT EVANS – FUEL TV’s UFC analyst
Kenny Florian doesn’t believe Phil Davis is ready to fight Rashad Evans in
the UFC on FOX main event Saturday, Jan. 28 (8:00 PM ET) from the United
Center in Chicago. “It’s one or two fights too early for Phil Davis to
fight Rashad Evans,”said Florian. “Evans’ experience and his ability to put
it all together will be the difference. He’s going to win and face [current
Light Heavyweight Champ] Jon Jones later this year.” Florian also picks Chael
Sonnen over  Michael Bisping and Chris Weidman over Demian Maia in the
other main card match-ups.

Follow the talent on Twitter at: @jayglazer; @kennyflorian; @arielhelwani

UFC on FOX TV Schedule
Friday, Jan. 27 5:00 PM UFC ON FUEL: WEIGH-IN LIVE, FUEL TV
Saturday, Jan. 28 5:00 PM UFC ON FUEL: PRELIMINARY MATCHES: Dunham vs. Lentz/Russow vs. Einemo, Swanson vs. Roop/Oliveira  vs. Wisely, Johnson vs. Roller/Beltran vs. Johnson, FUEL TV/FOX Deportes
Saturday, Jan. 28 8:00 PM UFC ON FOX: Maia vs. Weidman, Sonnen vs. Bisping, Evans vs. Davis, FOX Sports/FOX Deportes
Saturday, Jan. 28 10:00 PM UFC ON FUEL: POST-FIGHT SHOW, FUEL TV
*All times Eastern

About Ryan Berenz 2166 Articles
Member of the Television Critics Association. Charter member of the Ancient and Mystic Society of No Homers. Squire of the Ancient & Benevolent Order of the Lynx, Lodge 49, Long Beach, Calif. Costco Wholesale Gold Star Member since 2011.