Kala Kolohe Hose is an aw-shucks kind of guy from Wai'anae.

Phil Baroni is a loud-mouth guy from New York City, who exudes cocky and does interviews on par with any WWE "heel," or bad guy.

It makes for a nice "Good vs. Evil" matchup for the ICON Sport middleweight (185 pounds) title tonight in the "To Hell and Back" mixed martial arts event at the Blaisdell Arena.

The bout is scheduled for five 5-minute rounds. A 12-fight undercard will start at 5 p.m.

Hose was his normal soft-spoken self at a pre-match press conference at the Blaisdell Wednesday. Baroni, nicknamed the "New York Bad Ass," was all too happy to pick up the slack, complete with intimidation tactics and foul language. It all made for nice theater as they go after the title vacated by Robbie Lawler because of injury.

Baroni had his game face on and didn't like Hose's laid-back attitude.

"I sleep, eat and breathe this (expletive)," Baroni said. "He's smiling. He's all happy to be here."

Hose decided not to get into a war of words.

"He can do whatever he wants," he said. "That's how he promotes himself.

Whatevas."

Baroni, who trains in Las Vegas, also took a shot at ICON president TJ Thompson, who stood behind both men at the press conference.

"This guy is looking for a Hawaiian guy to be his ICON champ for a long time. He's not it," Baroni said while pointing to Hose seated to his right.

"You're looking at him right here. I'm going to be the next champion and I'm going to defend this title. Ain't no Hawaiian guy going to beat me and take it back. I'm going to start by knocking your ass out Saturday night."

He added: "I'm going to show him how much tougher guys from New York are."

An amusing exchange happened as the two fighters took off their shirts for side-by-side photos.

Baroni immediately took off his black T-shirt, which had "Italian Sweatshop" and a gun on the front.

Hose took a while to take off his long-sleeve dress shirt.

"Sorry, I brought my best shirt. It might take a little longer," he said as he unbuttoned the shirt.

Baroni replied: "He thinks it's fun and games."

As the two posed for the cameras, Hose had a smile and flashed the shaka sign with both hands. Baroni tried to look as mean as possible while making a fist. He told Hose in a threatening voice, "Keep smiling, keep smiling."

Baroni, 31, has the experience edge, having compiled a 10-8 record (7 knockouts, 2 submissions) against solid competition. Hose, 25, is 5-1 (5 KOs).

"I see it going quickly," Baroni said. "I see him hurt real bad. I see him realizing who he's in the ring with. There is no running, no hiding in an ICON ring. We're going to see what you're made of. You're going to see that you don't belong in the ring with me. (Thompson) is putting you in over your head, throwing you to the wolves so to speak. I'm going to be real hungry that night and I'm going to eat this kid up."

Since Baroni and Hose both like to strike, Hose said: "Somebody going to get knocked out."

Baroni's previous bout was a submission loss to Frank Shamrock last June. He also is coming off a six-month suspension imposed by the California State Athletic Commission for a positive steroids test, according to www.mmaontap.com.

Baroni has denied any steroid use.

Promoter Patrick Freitas said all fighters will be subject to random drug testing after their bouts by an independent company.

Hose recently spent 2 1/2 weeks training with Team Shamrock in San Jose, Calif.

"That was the best opportunity of my life," he said. "I learned a lot. It was a big step in my MMA career."

Hose said Shamrock warned him to "watch out for his right swings."

Hose was supposed to fight Lawler for the title on two occasions, but both were canceled because of injuries to Lawler. Hose's previous fight was a first-round knockout of Frederic Belleton in late January.

"I don't really say disappointed (in the cancellations) because he's the same caliber as Robbie," Hose said of Baroni.

For the record, Baroni doesn't care if everyone at the Blaisdell is against him tonight.

"Boos, cheers it really doesn't make a difference," he said. "It's been that way my whole life. Dudes wish they were me, chicks wish they were with me. It's no different here in Hawai'i."

UNDERCARD

175 pounds: Wade "Kona" Ke (0-0) vs. Marshall Ige (0-0).

137.5: Nui Wheeler (1-2) vs. Jay Bolos (1-2-1).

145: Colin Mackenzie (1-0) vs. Ricky "Hoku" Wallace (0-1).

135: Zack Rapal (0-1) vs. Dwayne Haney (3-0).

150: Alan Lima (1-0) vs. David Padilla (6-12).

145: Matt Comeau (1-0) vs. Elias Delos Reyes (1-0).

160: Eddie Rincon (1-2) vs. P.J. Dean (0-3).

170: Brennan Kamaka (6-11) vs. Ross Ebanez (17-6).

170: Wayne Perrin III (1-1) vs. Koa Ramos (3-0).

135: Russell Doane (1-1) vs. Tyson Nam (4-1).

145, for state title: Sadhu Bott (2-0) vs. Bronson Pieper (2-1).

205: Auggie Padeken (6-7) vs. Jeremy Williams (4-0).

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com.