UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans returned from retirement at Eagle FC 44.
He secured his first victory since November 2013.
Evans (20-8-1), a former UFC light heavyweight champion, ended a five-fight losing skid in what was his first fight since he walked away from the sport in June 2018.
He used his wrestling to secure a unanimous decision victory over Checco (12-6) in the 205-pound bout on Friday at the FLXcast Arena in Miami.
The scores were 30-27, 30-27, 30-27.
“The action happened fast and before I knew it I was just back in the fight. It felt like a dream,” Evans said in his post-fight interview with Henry Cejudo.
“I felt the love (for the sport) again. … I feel like I need to get in a better shape, but I’m open and I’m ready to roll. Eagle, I’m ready baby. Just put me in again.”
The Paratrooper drops HAMMERS on Spong and finishes him in round 2! #EagleFC44 pic.twitter.com/4KwK0CO6eS
— Eagle Fight Club (@EagleFightClub) January 29, 2022
Eagle FC 44 results:
Rashad Evans def. Gabriel Checco via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ray Borg def. Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)
Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. John Howard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Raimond Magomedaliev def. Anthony Njokuani via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:49
Dylan Salvador def. Arman Ospanov via TKO (corner stoppage) – Round 2, 5:00
Yorgan De Castro def. Shaun Asher via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:04
Demarques Jackson def. Miles Hunsinger via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:54
Shawn Bunch def. Firdavs Khasanov via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Loik Radzhabov def. Zach Zane via submission (standing guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:23
Ayadi Majdeddine def. Sitik Muduev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
