Evans to be inducted into NJCAA Wrestling HOF

Former Niagara County Community College All-American grappler Rashad Evans is one of three men being inducted into the NJCAA Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The 2021 class includes Evans, coach Scott Norton of Highline (Wash.) College and athletic trainer Randy Boswell of North Idaho College. 

Evans, a Niagara Falls native and graduate of nearby Niagara-Wheatfield High School, was a two-time NJCAA All-American at NCCC. He finished fourth in 1999 before becoming a National Champion at 165 pounds in 2000. He then transferred to NCAA Div. I Michigan State University, twice qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. 

Following his time on the mats at MSU, Evans started his mixed martial arts (MMA) career and broke into the highest level of the sport after winning the heavyweight division of "The Ultimate Fighter" in 2005. Evans went on to fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) for 15 years, competing in three different weight classes and winning the UFC light heavyweight championship belt in 2008. A veteran of 33 professional fights, Evans compiled a record of 24-8-1 - including a 14-8-1 mark in UFC bouts. In 2019, Evans was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame's "Modern Wing."

Currently, Evans works as a combat sports analyst for ESPN and is an accomplished coach and trainer for up-and-coming MMA athletes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.