RASHAD EVANS has revealed martial arts legend Bruce Lee had a huge impact on his career.

The light heavyweight contender - tipped for a title shot against Forrest Griffin following his devastating knockout of Chuck Liddell earlier this month - says the Hollywood legend was his inspiration when he was a boy.

Evans said: "Bruce Lee had a huge impact on me, just watching him...watching how well he moved he had a whole lot influence not only what he did in the movies but what he did for martial arts as a whole.

"He knew what it meant to be a martial artist. Bruce Lee had a vision of mixed martial arts way before everybody else.

"He was ahead of his time and just a genius. His philosophy, his mind in the way it worked - not only was he a great martial artist and a star but he was a legend too.

"He was a man who could fight and had his own deep personal thoughts on life. I have a lot of respect for him."

Evans earned a new-found level of respect for himself from MMA fans with his second round demolition of Liddell at UFC 88, and The Ultimate Fighter 2 winner reckons he is well overdue a chance to fight for the championship belt.

He added: "I believe its time for me to get a title shot. I feel like I’m ready.

"I’m just going to train hard and not only get ready to go in and have a great performance but have something that, no matter win or lose, I can be proud of myself because I put on a strong show."

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