Evans on Jones-Machida: "I fully understand"

With today’s announcement of the UFC 140 main event between champion Jon Jones and challenger Lyoto Machida, former champion Rashad Evans will be forced to wait a little longer for his shot at regaining the belt due to a serious injury to his thumb which will not have him ready for the December 10th date.

"After my last fight against Tito Ortiz, I dislocated my right thumb, which required it to be set back in place and held with pins,” said Evans in a statement released on Thursday. “24 hours ago, my physician removed the pins. At that time, I learned that it would require another three weeks of rehabilitation before engaging in any exercise or training that would require the use of my hand.”

“(UFC President) Dana White and I spoke earlier today, and I fully understand his decision to put Machida against Jones for the title at UFC 140,” continued Evans, who has won three in a row, defeating Thiago Silva, Quinton Jackson, and Ortiz. “Given the rehabilitation time I require for my dislocated thumb, I would not be 100 percent ready by December 10. The UFC has to keep making fights that entertain the fans. I would have done the same thing as Dana in his position. I'm asking for the fans to support me as I rehabilitate my hand, and I promise I will be back fighting very quickly."