The highly anticipated boxing match between MMA legends Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has been officially canceled, leaving fans frustrated and wondering what went wrong.
The bout was scheduled to be a crossover clash—two former UFC champions stepping into the boxing ring to settle unfinished business. Evans vs. Jackson promised fireworks. These two don’t just have history—they have beef. Their rivalry dates back over a decade, with bad blood that spilled over during their time coaching The Ultimate Fighter and their 2010 UFC showdown, which Evans won by decision.
This rematch, set in the squared circle instead of the Octagon, had the potential to reignite that drama. But now it’s off the table.
Organizers haven’t released full details, but sources close to the event point to breakdowns in contract negotiations. Issues included purse guarantees, promotional rights, and disagreements over the event setup. One source said there was a lack of clarity around sanctioning and safety protocols, which led to hesitation from at least one camp.
There was also talk that the event was struggling behind the scenes—ticket sales lagging, venue issues, and sponsors pulling back. Without all parties aligned and the financial backing secure, the fight was dead in the water.
The cancellation has hit fans hard, especially those who grew up watching these two legends during MMA’s boom years. The idea of Evans and Jackson squaring off in a boxing ring had real nostalgic value. It wasn’t about rankings—it was about pride and history.
Social media lit up with disappointment as the news broke. Many were already making travel plans or had bought into the hype of seeing two rivals settle things once and for all.
Evans posted on social media and stated:
Rampage Jackson also took to social media and had this to say:
Whether this fight gets rescheduled or scrapped entirely remains to be seen. But for now, fans will have to settle for rewatching their UFC clash and imagining what could’ve been.
One thing’s clear: This was a missed moment. Two icons. One ring. Gone before it even began.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.
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