EXCLUSIVE – Rashad Evans on cut to middleweight: “I was making 205 pounds without even really cutting weight.”

Rashad Evans will make his debut at 185 pounds in just a few weeks, as “Suga” Rashad prepares to take on Tim Kennedy at UFC 205 on November 12.

The former light heavyweight champion spoke exclusively with BJPENN.com Radio on Wednesday about his weight cut to middleweight and the reason why he’s finally making the drop down now.

“The drop to 185 pounds gives me a fresh start, kinda get some fresh blood,” Evans told BJPENN.com Radio. “I did pretty well against the guys at 205 (pounds), but I’ve been humbled many times, sometimes you got to switch things up. I’m glad to say I was able to make that decision (to drop to middleweight).”

“It was something that was always on my mind. I put it out there a while ago, began talking a bit more about moving to 185 (pounds), kinda threw it out there a couple of times, but I never really committed to the discipline of dropping the weight. After my last couple of fights and realizing when I was weighing-in, I was making weight without even having to really cut anything, and most of these guys are cutting (to 205 pounds) like I’ll be cutting to 185 (pounds), so I was just dealing with bigger guys altogether.”

“You get inside the cage and try to move that guy around, and for me work the takedown game, it really makes it hard. They’re a lot bigger and a little stronger. It was harder for me to implement my game-plan the way I really needed to.”

Evans will be making his middleweight debut while welcoming back Tim Kennedy to the UFC. Kennedy hasn’t fought since a TKO loss to surging contender Yoel Romero back at UFC 178 in 2014. The loss was marred in controversy, as Romero was accused of sitting on his stool for too long as the referee called both fighters to their posts for the third round of the fight.

Evans dropped his last fight to Glover Teixeira in April and will look to rebound with a win over Kennedy.

Incredibly, Rashad Evans began his career in the heavyweight division and even won season two of The Ultimate Fighter, which featured a heavyweight tournament.

Will Rashad Evans debut at middleweight be a success? Or will Tim Kennedy provide a rude awakening for Evans? Sound off, PENN Nation!