First loss chastens Evans

It took being mocked by an 8-year-old to snap former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans out of his depression.

Evans, previously unbeaten, sank into a funk after losing his title to Lyoto Machida by knockout in May.

"It was a hard couple of days. I kind of pouted and just kind of cried to myself. I was in disbelief," Evans said. "I was just moping around, feeling sorry for myself like it was the end of the world."

A visit from his nephew, Darius, several days after the fight helped Evans regain some perspective.

"My nephew came over and he was like, 'Uncle Shad, you got knocked out. You got knocked out by Machida,' " Evans said, imitating the boy's insulting tone. " 'He's raw. He knocked you out.' That's when I started to get over it because I wanted to whoop his ass when he said it, but I was kind of laughing at the same time, too.

"I couldn't help but just laugh at him. You know what, I'm alive. I've still got my health. It's not the worst thing that could ever happen to me. I still get another chance."

Evans will take the first step toward reclaiming the belt when he returns to action Saturday night against Thiago Silva in the main event of UFC 108 at the MGM Grand.

Evans, 30, says his pursuit of knowledge in his sport was re-energized by the loss.

"I felt like I was learning everything for the first time all over again. It's things that I've known before, but I was just paying attention that much more because I knew the outcome if I didn't," he said. "I was asking extra questions. It's like in college when there is a student that's like 30 or 40 years old. He asks more questions than a 20-year-old because they have that experience

"That's the same thing I have now. I have that loss, and I'm asking different kinds of questions and just getting more in tune with my training."

That probably means returning to the wrestling base that Evans has mostly abandoned in his last three fights.

"I think it's about time I get back to my roots. I got a couple of knockouts and I think I'm a stand-up striker. I got a little full of myself and got carried away," the former Michigan State wrestler said. "I think sometimes a loss can help you see things you were doing wrong. Sometimes, you have success at doing the wrong things, and that can prevent you from doing the things you need to do."

If trying to deal with his first loss wasn't enough of a challenge, Evans has been saddled with constant reminders of a potential fight on the horizon.

He was supposed to take on another former champion, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, last month. But after months of trash talk and hype, Jackson stepped away from the sport briefly to film a starring role in the movie version of "The A-Team."

So, Evans had to shift his focus to another dangerous opponent in Silva.

"I've been around some great coaches that really, really made me focus even if I got just a little bit distracted about Rampage. To be honest, we hardly brought up Rampage at all," Evans said. "My training was all about Thiago, and I made sure I stayed off the Internet, too, to make sure I wasn't getting caught up in it."

Silva poses a formidable challenge in his own right. He has just one loss in his career, also coming by knockout to Machida. He doesn't expect Evans to have any trouble getting over the shock of suffering his first loss.

"Rashad used to be the champion, so you know he's got talent, and he knows what to do with that," Silva said through an interpreter. "It's like me (after losing to Machida). He's probably past that, and he'll probably come focused for the fight."

If Evans isn't, he has a nephew waiting back home who will certainly tell him about it.

• NOTE -- The UFC will debut a more fan-friendly autograph event today at the MGM Grand. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Georges St. Pierre, Rich Franklin, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Roy Nelson from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grand Garden Arena. During the sessions, which is free, fans can also watch the octagon being constructed. Weigh-ins are scheduled for 4 p.m.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.