The next UFC pay-per-view is 114: Rampage Vs. Evans but they really should’ve gone with a title like Bring the Hate. In a sport where your goal is to try and either knockout your opponent, make them submit, or at the very least beat them up more than they beat you up there aren’t a lot of fighters that hate each other. Sure, lots of guys who have a dislike for each other, but I mean like a Red Sox-Yankees or Bulls-Pistons or Flames-Oilers hate. Like you can’t sit in the same room without the potential of violence. This is what we have on Saturday.

The genesis of this feud goes back to UFC 96 after Rampage beat Keith Jardine and secured a title shot against then Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans. During the post fight interview with Joe Rogan, Rashad came into the octagon putting down Rampage’s performance telling him he’d knock him out in a way I can’t repeat on this blog if I want to keep writing it and Rampage… disagreed with him. They exchanged some colourful language (meanwhile Joe Rogan looked like he was having the time of his life standing between them) then Rampage took the mic, said there’s “gonna be some more black on black crime” and left.

The fight never happened because Rampage tore some ligaments in his jaw fighting Jardine and needed surgery so Rashad fought Lyoto Machida and lost the title. This feud was too good to let it sit on the shelf for too long, so instead of giving Rampage a shot a Machida, he was put on The Ultimate Fighter to coach against Rashad in what was the most antagonistic coaching rivalry in the series’ history. At the end of the series, they were supposed to fight at UFC 107 in Memphis (Rampage’s hometown) but they never actually signed a contract and then the A-Team movie came up. Rampage had been trying to get that role for a long time (even mentioning it in an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live in 2008) and since there wasn’t a bout agreement in place, he took it. Dana White wasn’t exactly pleased as he’s not a big fan of his fighters trying to be actors (though you never hear him complain when Randy Couture makes a movie) and that sparked a war of words that sent Rampage into a mini retirement. While that fence isn’t exactly mended, Rampage did sign a new 6-fight deal the first of which is this #1 contender bout with Rashad Evans. And just cause it took a year longer than expected to get these two in an octagon, don’t think they’ve mellowed on each other. These two went at it on a conference call last week where Rashad called Rampage out for portraying himself in a negative stereotype to make money then Rampage called Rashad gay (great stuff, Rampage, glad you brought your “A” game and went with the 6th grader-type insults). The fight’s also been given first class treatment with a 3-part UFC Primetime feature on Spike.

Going beyond the hype and the hate, this fight really comes down to Rampage’s hands versus Rashad’s feet (and I don’t mean his kicking). They both can do a lot of the same things: they’re both strong, they both can wrestle, and they both have knockout power but for different reasons. Rampage is heavy handed while Rashad’s power comes from his footwork. He’s very light and quick on his feet and for a year I’ve thought that would make the difference but for whatever reason I’m going with Rampage in this one (OK, it may have to do with me playing the demo of the new video game and having an easier time with Rampage than Rashad).

Also on the card is Rampage’s Wolfslair training partner Michael Bisping trying to rebound from his loss to Wanderei Silva at UFC 110 against Dan Miller who’s riding a two fight losing streak after losses to Chael Sonnen at UFC 98 and Demian Maia at UFC 109. Both fighters are in desperate need of a win. For Miller it’s likely to stay employed and for Bisping it’s to stay relevant. “The Count” probably wouldn’t lose his job with a loss but it’s hard to imagine him still being a big draw if he doesn’t win and his drawing power is what’s keeping him working.

After a nine-month absence, Todd Duffee makes his return to the octagon against Mike Russow. Duffee made his UFC debut last August at UFC 102 setting a record for the quickest knockout in UFC history at 7 seconds but a back injury has delays his second trip into the 8-sided cage.

“Little Nog” is also on the card facing off against Jason “The Hitman” Brilz and Diego Sanchez is moving back to welterweight to face the undefeated John “The Hitman” Hathaway. And no, that’s not a typo; they’re both “The Hitman”. If there is a god, one or both of them will be wearing pink and walking in with Bret Hart’s theme music.

This looks like a great pay-per-view offering on paper and something no MMA fan should miss… unless of course they bought tickets to the Sasquatch Music Festival months ago not realizing there’d be a conflict. Then I’m sure they could watch it when they get back. By the by, my review may be a little late.