Sportsnet.ca -- (Sugar) Rashad Evans will put his undefeated record on the line against former champion Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell on June 7, with the winner in line for a title shot.
The matchup, which will be the main event of UFC 85 in London, England, was originally reported on Sherdog.com and the UFC confirmed the bout on Thursday.
"Chuck showed in his last fight against Wanderlei Silva that he’s regained the fire he needs to win back the UFC light heavyweight title," said president Dana White in a press release. "But to earn that opportunity he now has to do what no one else has been able to do -- and that’s defeat Rashad Evans."
White confirmed earlier reports that Liddell had signed a fight with Mauricio (Shogun) Rua but that plans changed when it was revealed that Rua injured his knee. Instead the UFC offered the fight to Evans, who immediately stepped up to accept it.
"Rashad brings a completely different set of problems to Chuck Liddell," added White. "He has great wrestling and some of the fastest strikes in the entire division."
It was previously rumoured that Evans would take on Thiago Silva at UFC 84 in May. Instead he gets to fight a former champion.
"I had no hesitation taking this fight," said Evans. "Liddell is a legend but I think I am the best and the only way to prove that is to fight and beat the best. My wrestling is stronger than his, but I can also fight this whole fight striking if I want to."
The 28-year-old Evans (11-0-1) is coming off a decision win over Michael Bisping at UFC 78: Validation in November. Prior to that, the winner of season two of The Ultimate Fighter fought to a draw against Tito Ortiz in July.
Liddell (21-5) beat Wanderlei Silva in December to break a two-fight losing streak which began when he lost his belt to Quinton Jackson in May.
"I'm real excited about fighting in London," Liddell said. "Rashad is a difficult challenge for me, he’s getting better with every fight. He’s unbeaten and he doesn't know how to lose -- but I always go in expecting a knockout."
Also confirmed for the card is heavyweight bout between Brazilian Fabricio Werdum and American Brandon (The Truth) Vera.
Werdum is coming off a January win over Gabriel Gonzaga in Newcastle. Vera had his undefeated record of eight wins snapped in October when a he suffered a broken thumb and lost a fight to former champion Tim Sylvia.
