DAN Hardy's clash with Marcus Davis at UFC 99 in Germany tonight is threatening to overshadow the main event between Brazilian Wanderlei Silva and American Rich Franklin.

Hardy, making his third appearance in the UFC, is itching to go.

"The rivalry between Marcus and me has elevated this fight into something special, a genuine attraction, and the kind of fight that gets everyone talking," he said.

"I'm intrigued by how people see this fight going. Only 21% of fans on UFC.com believe I will come out victorious. Those 21% will be proved right and the other 79% will be converted into believers."

Ex-pro boxer Davis, whose family hails from Ireland, has chalked up 13 victories in his last 14 MMA contests. But Hardy isn't impressed.

Hardy insists: "He's all gimmicks with his Irish ancestry. He's only Irish when it suits him. Wearing a kilt and carrying a tricolour walking to fight doesn't make you a Celtic warrior.

"He has been fighting British welterweights to avoid tougher opposition in the United States.

"You only have to look at the guy to see he's been in a lot of wars over the years.

"He's not fresh. I have my game plan and it will be executed.

"Marcus cannot bring anything to the table that I haven't already experienced or endured in training.

"I've suffered for 12 grueling weeks to get to this point. It has prepared me for 15 minutes of war.

"Those 15 minutes are my happiest 15 minutes on this earth. I wouldn't rather be anywhere else tonight than in the Octagon staring across at Marcus Davis.

"Once we both enter the Octagon, I imagine myself having only 15 minutes to prove myself.

"I imagine that I have 15 minutes left on this planet and this is my one chance to show the world what I've got."

Hardy has been preparing for the fight by playing on Xbox, listening to hardcore metal and watching a box set of Red Dwarf.

"All those things help relax me and settle my mind on other things," he said.

"When it comes time to focus on the fight, I focus on the fight. When it comes time to relax my mind, I'll chat to my girlfriend in America or play computer games.

"I love being involved in a big event like UFC 99. I relish taking on a fighter like Davis. He is on my mind most hours of the day to the extent that I probably know his style better than he does.

"As well as watching videos of Marcus, I've also watch videos of other famous southpaw fighters, whether mixed martial artists or boxers like Manny Pacquiao during the last few days.

"I look for the things that make them tick and the moves they struggle with. It's all about getting acquainted with that southpaw style."

Hardy, whose training schedule has included working with Amir Khan's boxing coach, Freddie Roach, in America, sees Davis as a stepping-stone to fame and fortune.

"It is just another move on my game board," he said. "I see my career in a similar way to something like snakes and ladders.

"You have to have the guts to roll the dice and climb ladders. Every now and again you may hit a snake and lose a few steps, but I'm certain Davis will prove to be just another ladder in my UFC career."