UFC 76 will be a real knockout

By MARK GILBERT
September 12, 2007

CHUCK LIDDELL returns to Octagon action for an explosive main event with Keith Jardine at UFC 76.

'The Iceman' last entered the ring in August when he lost the light-heavyweight title to Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson at UFC 71.

He will be looking to get back to winning ways and reclaim his place among the title contenders.

But 'Dean of Mean' Jardine has a point to prove after his last Octagon appearance saw him lose in just 48 seconds to Houston Alexander.

Jardine said: "It will be a real honour to fight Chuck, he's the greatest light-heavyweight champion ever and I'm excited to fight him at UFC 76.

"For me, this is a great fight and people shouldn't underestimate me — I know Chuck Liddell won't underestimate me.

"I think he knows this will be a good, exciting stand-up fight that ends with a knockout."

But the fight everyone is talking about features the man Jardine beat at UFC 66 — Forrest Griffin.

Griffin is taking on ex-PRIDE phenomenon Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, who will make his Octagon debut in their UFC 76 clash.

The Brazilian fighter is being touted as an immediate contender for the light-heavyweight title and has already notched a victory over current champion Rampage Jackson in a PRIDE event.

Rua is part of the famous Chute Box team and has won 12 of his last 13 fights, nine of which were by knockout or technical knockout.

Other fights on the night include lightweight Tyson Griffin's match with Thiago Tavares, Ryoto Machida squaring up against Kazuhiro Nakamura in a light-heavyweight bout and the return of Diego Sanchez, who faces Jon Fitch in the only welterweight clash.

Sanchez is on a mission to prove he is one of the elite fighters in the division after suffering his first UFC defeat to Josh Koscheck in July.


Commenting on Sanchez's bout with Fitch, UFC President Dana White revealed: "He is upset with his last performance and asked to fight the best opponents possible.

"With 13 straight wins, Jon Fitch more than fits the bill. I'm expecting an awesome fight."

UFC 76 takes place at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California, and will be broadcast on Bravo on Sunday September 23 at 9pm.