According to Franklin McNeil ESPN.com
Jon "Bones" Jones has torn ligament:
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones suffered a torn ligament in his right hand that has forced him to withdraw from a proposed fight with Rashad Evans, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com on Monday.
Evans will now face Phil Davis on Aug. 6 at UFC 133 in Philadelphia. The Canadian Press first reported the development. Davis (9-0-0) defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by unanimous decision during his most recent bout in March. Davis has been an active fighter, as the bout with Evans will be his fourth in a year.
Davis believes that beating Evans will lead to a title shot. "A win against him would solidify me as an absolute permanent fighter in this sport," Davis said. "It would be a big win and really give me some market value. "It is my understanding that if you beat the UFC champion, that makes you the UFC champion.
And if you beat the UFC's No. 1 contender that makes you the No. 1 contender." Evans (15-1-1) has not fought since May 29, 2010, when he defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson by unanimous decision at UFC 114 in Las Vegas. The former UFC 205-pound champ has won two fights in a row since losing his belt to Lyoto Machida in May 2009.
Evans was scheduled to fight Mauricio Rua for the light heavyweight title in March, but a knee injury suffered during training camp forced him out of the bout. Jones replaced Evans at UFC 128. When informed of Jones' injury, Evans said "I just want to get back in the octagon and fight."
Jones and Evans were training partners and had a close relationship. Their friendship soured after they were slated to fight one another.
Franklin McNeil covers mixed martial arts and boxing for ESPN.com.
