Joe Ferraro

Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans are done with the smack talk and are ready to fight.

While you could cut the tension with a knife, the anticipated fireworks at the UFC 114 pre-fight press conference between Rampage Jackson and Rashad Evans gave way to an awkward atmosphere. A moment that had many waiting for verbal explosions to erupt at any moment.

As both fighters sat within ten feet of each other, you could just sense that they were both restraining from launching into a barrage of insults to continue the trash talking they have been doing to hype their main event fight at the MGM Grand.

But as they kept their cool, both guys didn’t stop from throwing the odd shot, which was met with a rebuttal that was just as soft. Neither fighter was interested in doing what many were hoping for. Instead, they actually agreed on the same sentiment.

Jackson and Evans have had enough; they are done with the smack talk and are simply counting down the days, the minutes, and the seconds until they can finally meet in the octagon. The two former light-heavyweight champions have now given up using their tongues as weapons, as the time has come to use their fists to do the talking.

One of the key themes coming from the pre-fight press conference was the importance of keeping their emotions in check during the fight. Both guys may have agreed, but they also reiterated there is a very good chance that once the referee steps out of their way, it may simply turn into an old fashioned donnybrook.

At stake in this bout is a shot for the winner to face UFC light heavyweight champion, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. For Rampage, it is a source of motivation and a chance to avenge a loss he suffered to the hands (and knees) of the Brazilian when they both competed under the "Pride" banner. For Evans, it’s a crack at the title he was only able to hold for just under five months, losing it to Lyoto Machida during his first defence as the champion.

In stark contrast, it was middleweight Michael Bisping who piped up with the trash talking.

In Saturday’s co-main event, "The Count" is set to square off against Dan Miller, an American MMA veteran who holds a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bisping balked at the notion that Miller’s BJJ skill set is a concern, having defeated many a fighter of the same ilk, the last being Denis Kang.

This bout is flying under the radar for most fans, but has all the makings of being a candidate for "Fight of the Night".

Styles makes fights, and this one will showcase to athletes who love to stand and bang, but also possess a strong ground and pound acumen. The winner will likely be determined by the fighter who can dictate the pace on the ground by staying on top, working his punches and elbows, while working vigilantly to control his opponent from escaping their grasp.

During my post-fight interviews with all four of these men, a range of human emotions were on display, one that had many watching, smiling, grinning and even raising an eyebrow.

Rampage was visibly annoyed – he wanted to get out of there and like Dana White said in the press conference, is "always miserable". Mind you, he did smile before and afterwards, but that was with casual conversation, not while the cameras were rolling. Even Lance Gibson, his new muay thai coach who I worked with early in my MMA promotions career knew it was best served if Jackson was allowed to leave. Gibson believes Rampage is ready, and trust me, it was evident.

Rashad was far calmer, but you could still sense that the time had come for many of the media looking for single interviews to keep their questions brief and to the point. All decked out in his suit, "Suga" was turning sour and it was time for him to get back to his room and clear his mind.

Miller was cool, smiling and there was nothing that anyone could have asked him that would have likely bothered him. As for his opponent, not so much. Bisping was in his glory, and made it crystal clear – Saturday’s fight will not go the distance. He will finish this fight before the three rounds are up. No if’s, and’s or but’s.