UFC Issues Statement on Rashad Evans Being Denied a License | MMAWeekly.com

For the second time, former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans has been denied a license based on a medical issue.

Evans was scheduled to face Tim Kennedy at UFC 205 on Nov. 12 in New York, but the fight was canceled the week of the event due to the New York State Athletic Commission having concerns over Evans’ medicals, specifically with his MRI results.  The fight with Kennedy was rescheduled for UFC 206 on Dec. 10 in Toronto.  On Monday, Kennedy revealed that Evans was pulled from the bout a second time after the Ontario Athletic Commission denied to grant Evans a license.

On Monday evening, the UFC released a statement regarded Evans’ situation.   

“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. As a result, Evans’ rescheduled bout against Tim Kennedy, set for UFC 206 in Toronto on Saturday, December 10, has subsequently been cancelled,” read the statement. 

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“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,” the fight promotion added. 

Evans stated on Nov. 8 that he was physically fine after the New York Athletic Commission denied him a license.

“I’m healthy. I don’t want anyone worrying about me. I’m fine, physically speaking. Never felt better. It’s just the commission and their rules. I guess they have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to this,” he told MMAFighting.com at the time. 

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