The war of words between Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “Sugar” Rashad Evans has continued for almost a year. On May 29, at UFC 114 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the two former champions will finally square off and attempt to settle their differences.

As opposing coaches during The Ultimate Fighter 10, Jackson and Evans went at it immediately. Their verbal battles nearly received more air time than the actual contestants. While the banter stayed fairly juvenile, the animosity was palpable.

Although the constant trash talking helps hype a fight, Evans realizes that it can become detrimental if a fighter brings those emotions into the cage.

“The person that brings the most mental baggage to the fight is probably going to be the person that loses because they’re going to be one step slower in their reaction and getting off. The key for me is to just have an empty mind, to just go in there and try to perform to my best. Just let all the trash talk come to a point in the cage and not go in there and fight angry. You could try to take his head off with every single punch and [gas] out halfway through the first round.”

In spite of the hostility, Evans has learned not to become rigid in his game plan. Whether the bout stays standing or hits the ground, “Sugar” is prepared for any scenario.

“It takes that experience when you get rocked to keep your composure. Because the truth of the matter is that you will get rocked. There’s no secret or hiding behind the fact that you will get caught with a good punch. I do want to stand and bang and show him, but then at the same time, you’ve got to win the fight. It doesn’t matter how long [I] stood up with him, it’s just how [effectively] you can take him out. I plan on using everything I can to do so. If it happens that I see an opportunity to take him down, then I’m taking him down. If I feel he defends the shot good, then we’ll stand up and bang. It all depends on what he gives me.”

Since no belts are awarded for the most creative banter, the Team Jackson fighter knows that, to earn his title shot, he has to make a statement through his performance.

“No matter what either one of us [says], the real talking is going to be done May 29.”

(Source: MMA Junkie)