Eurosport - Tue, 16 Dec 11:48:00 2008
Rashad Evans is remaining relaxed ahead of his UFC light-heavyweight title fight against Forrest Griffin on December 27.
Evans told Yahoo! Sports he has weighed up the strengths and weaknesses of the champion, and feels his style matches up well.
Griffin has pulled off upset wins in his last two fights, against Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, but Evans is confident he has learned from their mistakes.
"Watching his fight with Rampage, I know that Forrest is a very busy fighter," Evans said. "He stays busy and has no problem with just going at it.
"He takes a big shot and just keeps on going. He is tough, he has a lot of heart and is willing to do anything to win a fight.
"But looking at the fight, I think he is going to have problems with me. I am not going to be a fighter who just stands in front of him like Rampage, and I am not going to be anything like the Shogun fight either.
"Styles makes fights and we will see if he can handle my style."
With a reputation for a calm, laid-back approach in fights, Evans went on to add that he will adopt a fluid approach against Griffin - although he will be ready with some fireworks from the opening bell if he senses and opportunity.
"I don't know how it is going to go. I don't know if I am going to knock him out or get a decision, but I am going to go out there and lay it down.
"I don't want to say I am going to mangle him or anything, I am just going to go out there and let it happen.
"I'm not sure how I'm going to approach the first round of this fight," Evans went on. "It is definitely going to be important in terms of setting a precedent as to what is going to happen in the following few rounds.
"If I am out there and I see him sort of looking relaxed or looking like he thinks it is going to be complacent first round then I will go out there and try to knock his head off."
"I know he does kick well to the legs, but I am not really very worried about it, to be honest.
"If he lands a couple of solid kicks, it could do some damage, but hopefully I am going to keep moving around enough and check those kicks when they come, if not and he catches me then I have to make him pay."
Evans earned the top-contender slot in the UFC's deepest division with a stunning second-round knockout of fan-favourite Chuck Liddell in September.
Now he is looking for a hat-trick of highlight-reel finishes.
"I have got a knockout from my kick (against Sean Salmon, in January 2007), I have got a knockout from my overhand right (against Liddell) - now I am looking to get a submission, so that way I will have an all-round game."
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