Former UFC Stars Canceled Their Long-Awaited Rematch—Here’s Why

Rivalries in combat sports are part of what make the fight game so thrilling. It’s the verbal jabs, the tense faceoffs, and the deep-rooted history that build the kind of tension fans live for. That anticipation often leads to explosive moments inside the octagon or ring. But sometimes, just when things are about to boil over, the entire event falls apart. That’s what happened with a recent bout scheduled between two former UFC champions—one that had fans buzzing for weeks, only for everything to unravel in the final stretch.

The scheduled boxing match between Rashad Evans and Rampage Jackson was set for April 12, 2025, at The Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was a revival of their bitter rivalry, originally born in the UFC and showcased at UFC 114 in 2010. Their feud gained national attention as they coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter 10, where their contrasting personalities clashed repeatedly. Evans, the calm tactician, and Rampage, the explosive brawler, brought out the worst—and the best—in each other. When they finally met in the octagon, the build-up delivered one of the UFC’s most heated grudge matches, with Evans securing a unanimous decision win. The tension from that bout never fully faded, and fans have long wanted to see it reignited.