Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva Moved to Headline UFC 108

Photos courtesy: CombatLifestlye.com

As we reported yesterday Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is off of the UFC 108 card, which left the event without a headliner. Joe Silva quickly jumped to action and worked his magic, moving the Rashad Evans vs Thaigo Silva fight to be the headlining fight of the New Year’s Eve show. After a string of illnesses and injuries have postponed or completely dismantled several fights on the UFC 108 the talent pool is becoming rather shallow as to who to stack on this and sequential events.

With Lesnar out with mono, or swine flu or whatever ‘complication’ we’re not being told about, and Nogueira contracting staph infection there are a number of other “healthy” fighters, but no one at the caliber that is needed to carry this show. Evans is fantastic, a former champion, but Evans-Silva isn’t the show you would expect for what’s supposed to be “the biggest event of the year.” This is obviously a case of working with what you’ve got.

Both men seem to be excited about the move though. Evans recently stated, ““Being able to get right back in the mix and right back into a main event is an honor.This is the first step in getting my title back. Thiago is a dangerous fighter standing up and on the ground and I always relish an opportunity to fight the best and put on a great show for the fans.”

Silva is planning on using the pressure of being the part of the headliner of such a major event to force him to be the best Thiago Silva he can.

“I feel that the bigger the fight, the better I do,” Silva said. “Being in the main event for a UFC card has always been a goal of mine. Rashad is a great fighter, but he’d better come prepared in all aspects of mixed martial arts.”

Fans are still excited to see this card, even tough Evans vs Silva is no Carwin vs Lesnar, it will still be an epic match up. Other fights on the card include:

• Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Junior dos Santos
• Tyson Griffin vs.  Jim Miller
• Carlos Condit vs. Paul Daley
• Sean Sherk vs. Rafaello Oliveira
• Joe Lauzon vs. Sam Stout
• Martin Kampmann vs.  Rory Markham
• Cole Miller vs. Dan Lauzon
• Mark Munoz vs. Ryan Jensen
• Jake Ellenberger vs.  Mike Pyle

All of the above fights have been confirmed by sources close to the bouts; however, non are yet confirmed by the UFC.

Keep checking MMAMadness.com for updates regarding this story.

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