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RASH CLAIM

UFC 206: Rashad Evans ‘has brain damage’ according to opponent Tim Kennedy

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Evans will no longer make his middleweight debut on December 10 in Toronto

TIM KENNEDY claims opponent Rashad Evans "has brain damage".

The UFC 206 clash between the pair has been called off after Evans, 37, was denied a fighting licence for the second time in a month.

 Rashad Evans in his trademark pre-fight pose
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Rashad Evans in his trademark pre-fight poseCredit: Getty Images
 Tim Kennedy (right) claims that Evans has 'brain damage'
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Tim Kennedy (right) claims that Evans has 'brain damage'Credit: Getty Images
 Evans reacts after losing to Ryan Bader during UFC 192 in October 2015
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Evans reacts after losing to Ryan Bader during UFC 192 in October 2015Credit: Getty Images

The duo were due to fight at UFC 205 in New York earlier this month, only for the bout to be called off.


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Kennedy now says that brain damage has caused their rescheduled UFC 206 showdown in Toronto on December 10 to be scrapped as well.

Kennedy said: "They're not (letting him fight). I'm not fighting Rashad. I found out on Saturday.

"I think it's brain damage. Welcome to the sport where we punch each other in the head.

"When you have two back-to-back athletic commissions not issuing you a license, I don't know what that means for Rashad.

"It's a slippery slope moving forward for him."

 Evans punches Glover Teixeira in their light heavyweight bout in April
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Evans punches Glover Teixeira in their light heavyweight bout in AprilCredit: Getty Images
 Tim Kennedy after his knockout victory over Rafael Natal
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Tim Kennedy after his knockout victory over Rafael NatalCredit: Getty Images

Evans' manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that the fight was off, but denied that there were concerns over his fighter's health.

He said: "Rashad is fine. There's nothing wrong with him.

"The Ontario commission is a difficult commission to work with.

"The UFC has been great and is taking the necessary steps to get Rashad cleared. He will fight in January or February."

Evans, who has a career record of 19 wins, five losses and one draw, hasn't fought since a first-round knockout defeat to Glover Teixeira in April.

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