Rashad Evans Signs Extension With UFC
March 2, 2009
For those that follow MMAPayout.com on Twitter, we alerted you to the fact that Rashad Evans had just started up negotiations with the UFC on a new contract. Talks look to have concluded quickly, as Fighters Only is reporting that Rashad signed an extension on Friday night:
UFC light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans has signed a new deal with the UFC, Fighters Only has learned.
The light-heavyweight champion agreed to the new contract – which will extend his time with the UFC – on Friday evening.
The standard TUF winner contract is a 10 fight deal, that includes the TUF Finale. Rashad was still under his original deal, and by virtue of holding the 205 title was subject to the Champion’s clause (tying the fighter to the company even after a contract is up), so there was a bit of a leverage imbalance going on in negotiations. That said, negotiations came to a swift conclusion, and the Evans camp is quite happy with the deal from what we hear. The extension paves the way for Rashad’s next title defense, which should occur this summer against either Rampage Jackson or Lyoto Machida.
