Rashad Evans Declined Fight With Glover Teixeira At UFC 153; Targeting January Or February Return

Former UFC light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans had the opportunity to return to the Octagon this fall, however, will likely be back in action this January or February. 

During Saturday's UFC on FUEL TV 5 post-fight show, Evans confirmed that he declined a fight with Glover Teixeira (18-2) at October's UFC 153 in Brazil.

"I don't know. I talked to Dana [White] early this week and we talked about maybe December. But I'm thinking maybe January or February. I will fight anybody. I want to get a fight at light heavyweight. They offered me a fight, but it was against Glover Teixeira and I only had three weeks to fight and I haven't been training. I was like, ‘no way, not with that notice in Brazil.'"

On Sunday, Evans took to Twitter to further clarify turning down the Teixeira bout.

"I will fight anybody with the proper notice," Evans tweeted. "But after eight years with the UFC and being one of their top earners, Why would I take a bad fight? Bad fight meaning not being in shape. Losing is hard enough, but I will never serve myself up! If I haven't been training, I won't fight. 

"I know a lot of you fans may not realize, but I don't walk around ready to fight. No one does. In this sport, it takes at least eight weeks to be ready! Fighting another person is much harder than most people think, and if I'm not training, it takes time to get ready. There are no easy fights!"

Teixeira was originally slated to take on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the co-main event of UFC 153 in his home country of Brazil, though, "Rampage" was forced from the bout with an injury. 

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Stephan Bonnar both reportedly turned down fights with the Brazilian until fellow countryman Fabio Maldonado answered the call. Bonnar will now meet Anderson Silva in the UFC 153 headliner, while Maldonado and Teixeira lock horns in the co-main event spot. 

Evans last competed at April's UFC 145, where he dropped a unanimous decision to longtime rival and reigning light heavyweight champ Jon Jones. The defeat snapped a four-fight win streak for Evans, including victories over "Rampage" Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Phil Davis.

Teixeira, meanwhile, is currently riding a 16-fight win streak, including victories over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, Marcio Cruz and Ricco Rodriguez. The Brazilian striker found success in his Octagon debut last May, submitting Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 146.

(Pictured: Rashad Evans)