Evans, 32, has won 21 professional UFC bouts with only one loss to his name when he surrendered his crown to Lyoto Machida in 2009.

And despite his opponent holding an unbeaten record in his nine fights Evans believes that Davis just doesn't have the credentials to challenge him on Saturday.

"Phil is just a nice guy," he said. "He's an athlete, a great athlete, but not a fighter. He has no killer instinct for this and he's got no experience at this level.

Instinct

"He's never fought at heavyweight like I had to (at TUF 2) to get into the UFC. He's not had to dig deep at all."

However, Davis claims he has put in the hours to make the grade and believes that he will be able to reap the rewards in Saturday's showdown.

"I've been working hard for this, I can't wait to get back into the Octagon after a layoff," he added.

"He's not as good as he thinks he is, and I am better than he thinks I am. He thinks he's a better wrestler than me, crazy.

"I am less experienced than every single gut I've faced, and I am unbeaten. I am experienced at winning, and that's what really matters, and I'm going to experience winning again."