Gallery Juan Adams def. Chris De La Rocha at UFC on FOX 31: Best photos view 7 images

Juan Adams never has hesitated to speak his mind.

So when the UFC heavyweight was paired up with one of the most polarizing figures in the sport, it came as no surprise he voiced his unfiltered opinions.

Dating back to his tenure in the LFA, Adams (5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) always has made it clear the idea of fighting Greg Hardy (4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) delights him. Saturday at UFC on ESPN 4, “The Kraken” finally will get his chance to do just that.

UFC on ESPN 4 takes place at AT&T Center in San Antonio. The card airs on ESPN.

Being booked against the former NFL star came as a surprise to Adams, who believes the promotion has been shielding Hardy in his UFC career so far. Adams sees a few viable explanations for the bout actually coming to fruition.

“I was very shocked, and there’s a couple different ways to look at it,” Adams told MMA Junkie. “One, they’re finally giving me what I want. Or (two), I truly feel he asked for this fight. He asked for this fight because he and his team truly think that he can beat me. They truly think that I’m on the same level as his other opponents, and that’s insulting to me.

“Or, maybe the UFC thinks I’m on the same level as some of his other opponents – which I doubt. I’m extremely grateful that they even gave me this fight. They fulfilled two of the things I’ve been begging for since I signed with the company. I want to fight more frequently, and I want to fight anyone.”

His biggest bone to pick with Hardy, Adams said, is the so-called “protected” nature in which promotions have booked his opposition.

“A lot of people think it’s his past and me not being able to get over his (alleged) domestic violence,” Adams said. “While that does play a part in it, it’s more so that this man was catapulted into the UFC. He was given a fast track despite not showing any true abilities.

“… That’s where a lot of this comes from. Greg Hardy has fought cans. Even in the UFC, they’re going as far as to sign guys they’ve previously cut to give him an opportunity to look good, whereas my second fight in the promotion was Arjan Bhullar, who was 8-1. He was another top guy. I’ve challenged myself throughout my career, whoever they could find for me, whereas I feel like he’s cherry-picked his opponents. They’re trying to market him as this superstar athlete or crazy MMA talent, and he hasn’t displayed any of the skills.”

According to Adams, the beef between he and Hardy has been elevated to another level by members of Hardy’s team. Adams said Hardy’s coach made comments on social media making fun of Adams, but elected not to tag him in posts or comments.

“Anything that he or his team ever does, they don’t tag me in,” Adams said. “Other people will send me screenshots of it. If you’re even too much of a (expletive) to throw my name out there, then why do I even need to respond to it?

“One of my buddies keeps sending me screenshots of what his coaches said. He keeps calling me ‘fat boy’ and stuff like that, but Greg’s fatter than I am. And No. 2, he can’t even tag me? All of my stuff is public. You could have come and commented whatever you wanted to. They’re not saying anything back to me, because they know I’m right.”

Adams, 27, thinks the difference between himself and all of Hardy’s other opponents is his aggression and willingness to come forward and exchange.

“He’s only shown to be aggressive when the guys don’t hit back,” Adams said. “You look at his first (Dana White’s) Contender Series fight – (Austen Lane) jabbed him a couple times and he didn’t really have any answer for it. He looked lost out there until he landed his punch. Obviously, you have to respect his right hand. But when it comes to Allen Crowder, (he) was telling (Hardy) to hit him harder. And with Greg, what it boils down to is that he’s a bully. He can only excel when the other person is afraid of him – and I’m not afraid of him.

“I’ve never been afraid of him. I’ve asked for this fight for a very long time. Back when we were both in LFA, I wanted this fight. I’m happy that’s it’s finally coming to fruition and I’m going to showcase and expose Greg Hardy for what he is.”

For more on the UFC on ESPN 4, check out the UFC Schedule section of the site.