MANILA, Philippines -- Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans will go for a knockout when he mixes it up with Brazilian mixed martial artist Thiago Silva in UFC 108.

“There's something about taking somebody out with your hands, you know… there's one punch then you can just be over for the rest of the night,” said Evans in a UFC promotional video.

Evans will face the Brazilian striker at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on January 2 (January 3 in Manila).

Evans said Silva will realize his caliber once they meet inside the Octagon.

“I think when I start letting these hands go, his going to realize that hey, this dude is kinda fast. And not only he's fast he knows what to do with those hands too,” he said.

Both Evans and Silva said they want to get a title shot against reigning light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida.

“There's a lot of pressure for both of us because we both have something to prove,” said Evans (18-1-1).

“[But] I'm the best 205 pounder and I'm gonna be out there to prove it,” he added.

Silva (14-1) earlier said his training camp was designed to foil Evan’s fighting style. He is hoping to get back on track on facing Machida.

“Every fight, I fight like it's my last fight. I fight for the title in every opponent that I had. What's important is that it's putting me into the direction of the title and I'm ready for it,” he said.

Evans said every good fighter can see holes in their opponents style. It, however, takes a better fighter to take advantage of the loopholes.

“You can see holes in anybody's game, but it's about how you capitalize on those that makes the big difference.”

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