"I don't see him in the same light that I did before. My perspective has changed tremendously...I think this is the biggest fight yet. I think this is one of the first times a UFC has been of this magnitude and it's a step in the right direction and it's a testament to where this sport can go. There are always fights like this in boxing, but this is truly for the first time, in my opinion, that a fight in MMA can rival something like a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. This is something that I believe is going to happen a lot in the future and whether they are cheering for me or not, just go out and support it man. This is a dream come true because I never thought I would be in a fight like this," stated former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans as he talked about his upcoming clash with another former UFC light heavyweight champion, Quinton Jackson, just days before both men step into the cage this Saturday at UFC 114. Check it out!
PC: I have spoken to a few people that are in camp with you and they said this is the best you have ever looked. How do you feel?
RE: I feel phenomenal man. I had a really good camp. I owe it to my coaches, Mike Van Arsdale, Trevor Wittman, Greg Jackson and Phil Nurse and those guys, for coming out to support me. My teammates also came in and gave me a good one. I had King Mo in here and that was probably the best work in training that I've had in a long time. King Mo, by far, is one of my best training partners. I was working with him for his fight with Mousasi and we just continued to work together. We've known each other since college and since he has gotten into the game, we've always wanted to work together, but we really just started to get the chance to work together in these last couple of months. I didn't know what to expect, but he exceeded my expectation by a million man.
PC: This is the fight a lot of fans have been waiting for because there is so much bad blood and fans love drama. Does that add any pressure on you, the magnitude of this fight and this event?
RE: There is always pressure. I ain't going to lie and say there is no pressure at all, but I think, for the most part, the pressure is for me to go out there and compete at my best. I know if I go out there and compete at my best, everybody will be satisfied and that's one of my main objectives, to be at my best. As far as the result, the result is just a by-product of me competing at my best. If I go out there and be free and have fun, the result will take care of itself. I would be lying if I said there was no pressure at all, but it's a fun kind of pressure.
PC: Rampage seems to be very motivated and although he was coming down in weight a lot, he looks to be in pretty good shape. Are you expecting the Rampage that fought Wanderlei the third time or the Rampage that didn't really seem too interested in the Forrest fight?
RE: I'm expecting the Quinton that fought Wanderlei. I expect him to be very focused and dialed in. That's the one I'm going to be expecting. I think I would be making a mistake if I think that I'm going to fight the one that fought Jardine or Forrest Griffin. In both of those fights, he didn't look too good. I think he's going to be focused and want to go out there and show people...he feels he has something to prove. When he has that mindset, he's always been a dangerous opponent to face. I expect him to be at that level.
PC: You have always told me that Rampage used to be a guy that you looked up to. He was your favorite fighter at one point. I know things have changed, but how do you avoid not getting caught up in fighting a guy you used to idolize?
RE: Nah, I think I got over that awhile ago. I was man enough to admit that I was a fan of his. I could have been like, "I've always hated that nigga," or whatever. He was one of my favorite fighters at one time. I don't think that it will be hard for me to step up to the plate because for someone to be like that, they have to think that they are not on that level and I definitely think I'm on that level, if not a step ahead. I don't see him in the same light that I did before. My perspective has changed tremendously.
PC: When I last spoke to you, you said after the fight you think you guys would shake hands and embrace, like most fighters do, even if it's temporarily. Do you still feel that way even after everything that has been said leading up to the fight?
RE: I mean, I think we will have that respect somewhat, but I don't think we will ever be hanging out or nothing like that, you know? I think that we will have that respect for each other. When you go in there and you sweat and bleed on each other for 15 minutes, you walk away with that person's soul to a degree. That's the best thing about mixed martial arts is that comraderie you feel with the person you are fighting. I think that we're going to go in there and fight as hard as we can and we will walk away feeling respect for each other, win or lose.
PC: Both of you guys are known for having intense staredowns at the weigh-ins. Are you expecting any festivities at the weigh-ins?
RE: I'm going to try to stay calm. It gets kind of heavy at the weigh-ins because that's the first step to realizing it's really going down. That's the mindset because once you get down to Vegas, you see all of the fight hype and it's like, "Oh shit, it's really going down." You get comfortable in Vegas and the nerves start going away a little bit. Once you start waiting and then you finally see that person, its like, "Damn, this shit is going down." You feel it. I think I'm going to save a lot of it for the next day.
PC: You're always known for having some good entrance music; usually some old school hip hop. What can we expect?
RE: I'm kind of torn. I still haven't picked out my entrance music yet. You know it's going to be something flavorful and something to make you bob your head, man. It's going to be old school hip hop. Some of the new rap misses it's mark, but I'm going to come with some old school flavor man; something.
PC: The best of luck to you man. I will speak to you after the fight. Is there anything you want to say in closing?
RE: I just would like to thank everybody. Whether they are rooting for me or not, I want to thank them. I respect them for their support of mixed martial arts. I think this is the biggest fight yet. I think this is one of the first times a UFC has been of this magnitude and it's a step in the right direction and it's a testament to where this sport can go. There are always fights like this in boxing, but this is truly for the first time, in my opinion, that a fight in MMA can rival something like a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. This is something that I believe is going to happen a lot in the future and whether they are cheering for me or not, just go out and support it man. This is a dream come true because I never thought I would be in a fight like this and I'm just happy everyone is down with it.
PC: And if I'm not mistaken, this is the first time two black fighters have headlined a UFC event, which is a milestone in itself.
RE: Yeah, yeah! That is major and that's another thing right there. We're the first two brothas to headline a UFC card; that's something else man.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]