The verbal battle between two of the UFC’s top light heavyweights continues to heat up leading into this weekend’s UFC on FOX 2.
During last week’s media conference call for the event, headliners Rashad Evans and Phil Davis got into an intense war of words sparked by Davis’ assertion that he will defeat the former champion. Not only does Davis believe that he will come out of Saturday’s event victorious, but he also feels that he deserves a shot at the belt.
“Pretty much, after I beat Rashad on the 28th, they won’t really have anything else to do with me,” Davis said. “Rashad is the true, No. 1 contender. If he loses, who else fights the champion?”
When asked about the possibility of former Pride and Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson getting the next crack at Jon Jones, Davis said that it was “cool” with him and actually works perfectly into his game plan. If Henderson gets the next shot, it will give Davis time to recuperate before the possible championship match.
But that’s all dependent on Davis winning, something that Evans is determined to not let happen.
“I’m gonna smash you, dude. You ain’t ready,” Evans said. “We gonna see what happens when those lights hit you. You ain’t a fighter.”
Evans continued to question Davis’ skills, specifically his stand-up, and also his mindset as a fighter.
“Some people would be fighting no matter what, even if they ain’t paid. I’m one of those people. Phil isn’t,” Evans said.
Quick to retort, Davis responded, “You’re right, I’d be pushing a pen. But since I get paid to fight, looks like you next.”
Davis’ confidence in his game stems from the long and arduous hours of training he has put in preparing for this bout. Having spent time improving his stand-up game, an area that the young wrestler has struggled with in the past, Davis believes that this is the right time—and opponent—for him to take the spotlight.
“I don’t know who else there is to fight, this is the perfect fight for me,” Davis said. “If not Rashad Evans, who else?”
Matt Juul is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.
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