Evans defeats Silva, wants Rampage

Thiago Silva nearly knocked out former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans with a pair of crushing right hands midway through the third round of their fight Saturday in the main event of UFC 108 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Silva, though, did precious little other than that, particularly in the first two rounds, and that cost him a potential victory.

Evans (14-1-1) won the first two rounds and Silva (14-2) took the third, but Evans won a unanimous decision victory, earning 29-28 scores from all three judges.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion used his wrestling and his movement to keep Silva off-balance for most of the first two rounds. Silva never seemed to be able to mount much offense and Evans took him down repeatedly.

But the fight turned dramatically in the third. Silva connected with a pair of hard right hands as they were fighting near the fence and it was clear that Evans, who had been knocked out by Lyoto Machida in May at UFC 98 to drop the title, was in danger.

Silva, though, made a huge mistake by not pressing his advantage and going for the finish. Evans took a long time to gain his bearings and he fought the final minute or so very defensively, hoping to let the clock run out.

Evans said after the fight that he’s looking forward to a bout with another former champion, arch rival Quinton “Ranpage” Jackson. The men were supposed to meet after coaching on Season 10 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but Jackson opted to make a movie instead.

Jackson, though, has returned to the UFC and Evans said Saturday he hopes that bout can be made.