Evans vs. Rampage at UFC 98, no sure thing

Immediately after UFC 96 ended the possibility came up of Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson fighting against Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight title. It makes perfect sense, after all this was the fight fans were clamoring to see after both fighters won at UFC 92. The UFC now seems eager to make the fight work, especially since UFC 98, in May, has lost its main event.

The big news this weekend was Frank Mir's knee surgery, causing the UFC to delay the heavyweight unification bout with Brock Lesnar. Now the UFC needs a main event in May and Jackson vs. Evans is the perfect solution. But the short downtime for Jackson, versus the well rested Evans may prevent this fight from coming to fruition. 

Ironically Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson is facing the same decision Rashad Evans faced in December. Jackson had just defeated his long time nemesis, Wanderlei Silva, by knockout in the first round. Rashad Evans also won that evening, but his fight with Forrest Griffin lasted three round, with Evans taking a fair amount of damage. In the aftermath, it appeared that both were set on a collision course for UFC 96, but Evans opted to rest, considering he was coming off of longer bout and had commitments to George St. Pierre's camp.

Now in March, Quinton Jackson is facing the same decision. In the aftermath of UFC 96 Dana White told Jackson that he could fight Rashad in May or else Machida would. Jackson's face became a blank tablet as he labored with the questions surrounding such an event. 

Should Jackson take the fight with little down time and go right back to training camp after a three round fight? Will Rampage's desire to help Michael Bisping for his fight against Dan Henderson cause Jackson to take pause? Will he risk not being at 100% to fight a well rested Evans? A little over two months is a short turn around, but if Jackson doesn't take the fight Lyoto Machida will. That scenario leaves even more unknowns. Would Jackson even be next in line or will he have to fight again?

Regardless of what Jackson decides, he is damned either way.