UFC on FOX 19's Rashad Evans talks title aspirations, and some advice for Saint Preux

TAMPA, Fla. – After battling ring rust in a previous bout, ex-champ Rashad Evans feels more like himself coming into a fight with Glover Teixeira in the headliner of UFC on FOX 19.

Evans, 36, spent two years on the sidelines dealing with multiple knee injuries, only to learn a hard lesson against Ryan Bader in a return fight this past October at UFC 192.

“I didn’t feel totally comfortable, just having the thought of not being able to go out there and competing as well as I could because of my knee situation, but I feel great,” Evans said at an open workout in support of his FOX-televised main event at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla.

Evans (19-4-1 MMA, 14-4-1 UFC), the No. 9 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA light heavyweight rankings, isn’t sure where a win over No. 5 Teixeira (24-4 MMA, 7-2 UFC) puts him. But at this point, he’s merely welcoming a title shot, and not expecting one.

“If you’re not fighting to be the best, then you shouldn’t be fighting, in my opinion,” Evans said. “I still see that I have a lot of years left, and I feel like my body’s holding up. And as long I hold up mentally, I’m going to bring myself there.”

For now, Evans has to watch others at that point, namely Ovince Saint Preux and Jon Jones, who fight for the interim light heavyweight title later this month at UFC 197.

Champ Daniel Cormier, who was forced to withdraw from a showdown rematch with rival Jones at this month’s pay-per-view event, was only too happy to offer short-notice replacement Saint Preux a few pointers about how to pull off the upset against the once-dominant champion, inviting the new title challenger to his gym.

Evans, who lost to former training partner Jones four years ago at UFC 145, might not go as far. But he has some simple advice for Saint Preux – advice he didn’t follow.

“When he reaches his hands out, don’t grab ’em,” Evans said with a smile. “He’s going to elbow you.”

Check out the above video for more on Evans’ thoughts on his upcoming fight with Teixeira and his career to date.

For more on UFC on FOX 19, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.