Following a failed medical Rashad Evans is unable to compete at UFC 205 this Saturday night forcing the promotion to scrap the scheduled fight with Tim Kennedy altogether.
We almost made it to fight night without any major changes to the fight card, but it wasn’t to be. Yesterday in a statement provided to MMAjunkie, the UFC said although the fight was off the card, both fighters would still receive their respective show money.
“The UFC organization was notified today that the New York State Athletic Commission has denied Rashad Evans a license to compete at UFC 205 due to a medical issue,” the statement read. “Evans’ scheduled bout against Tim Kennedy this coming Saturday, November 12 in New York, will be removed from the fight card. However, both athletes will receive their show money. There are currently no plans to replace this bout.”
You have to give Kennedy an A for effort however as the minute he learned of Evans’ medical problem he took to twitter and called out some pretty big names.
@SpiderAnderson was curious if you had any plans November 12? Want to meet me in New York at Madison Square Garden?
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@nickdiaz209 UFC 205 might need your help. Not sure if you want to come to New York this weekend. I heard somebody needs an opponent…
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@bisping I heard you were going to be in New York are at Madison Square Garden for UFC 205. Feel like trying to redeem a beatdown you got?
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@JacareMMA I’m pretty sure I beat you the last time we fought. It was a split decision. A gift. Want to go again? #UFCNYC #ufc205
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
Although he couldn’t get a fight on short notice Kennedy did have some very complimentary things to say for the UFC in how they went about handling this entire situation.
The @ufc is being amazing. I don’t hand out compliments I have nothing but praise about how they are dealing with my fight falling through.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 9, 2016