2 debutants entering the UFC for the 1st time, a welterweight collision between 2 of the top 10 fighters in the world and a headliner that pits two light heavy weight contenders looking to get back on the winning trail and one having a rematch in mind against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson who is the current Unified champion after his decision victory over ‘Dangerous’ Dan Henderson in London a couple of weeks ago. 

The current No 1 fighter in the Light heavy weight division, according to the majority of the MMA world takes to the Octagon to challenge fan favourite & TUF winner Forrest Griffin which looks like a mouth-watering match.

Both coming off devastating KO’s, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell & Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine will look to lick their wounds and return to winning ways and a shot at the champ, bearing in mind these two were looking set to collide for the belt, but both were rumbled and sent packing down the ladder. 

UFC 75: Champion vs Champion was unbelievable and a great night of MMA action with the 20,000 + fans in chaos for the main event and Michael "The Count" Bisping winning that somewhat bizarre split decision, anyway with that being said UFC 76: Knockout doesn’t look to disappoint with the card backed.

Here is a run through of the televised card for UFC 76: Knockout:

Thiago Tavares vs Tyson Griffin

Another exciting lightweight battle between to explosive individuals. Griffin has been rising up the ladder; although he was edged out of a decision to Frank Edgar has shown great resilience in his fight with Clay Guida and now training with Xtreme Couture has improved.

Tavares the American Top Team member has a spotless record of 16-0 with the majority coming from submissions, he also holds great muay Thai which could prove effective if he can overcome Griffin’s power factor.

Prediction: Tavares by Submission.

A meeting with Jorge Gurgel.

Kazuhiro Nakamura vs Ryoto Machida

Debutant No.1 Nakamura comes from the Pride organisation to take on highly regarded Ryoto Machida. Nakamura brings Judo & takedowns to the division where he looks to make an impact against an opponent who really should be in the middleweight division as he does give a big weight advantage to his opponent, but never the less Machida has a great record with KO wins over Rich Franklin & Stephan Bonnar. 

People found his recent octagon encounter with Heath a bit boring, but people with any knowledge in the MMA world got a good picture of Machida’s technical ability.

Prediction: Machida by TKO

A date with Houston Alexander.

Jon Fitch vs Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez

The contender’s match in the welterweight division looks a great match up, as Fitch is no slouch and Sanchez looks to redeem himself after a poor performance against Koscheck at UFC 69: Shootout.

Sanchez’s stand up skills weren’t showcased against Koscheck and after training with the boxing legend that is Oscar De La Hoya it did somewhat dampen the match as Koscheck had much success on his feet.

Fitch holds several victories in the UFC back from 2005 and is about to collide with his toughest test yet in Sanchez. Sanchez has changed camps and it will be interesting to see if his game has changed with his relentless pace and aggressive nature.

Prediction: Sanchez by TKO

Sanchez/Fitch v St Pierre

Forrest Griffin vs Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

This is what a lot of people are saying to be the main event of the evening as Rua steps into the octagon for the 1st time and a great opponent he has been handed with TUF fighter winner standing across from his come Saturday.

This should be a great slugfest as both love to strike and Rua has great ground skills which will give him the advantage on the ground.  If Griffin can pull a victory out of the bag then that should give him the immediate title match with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, but if he does get beaten it will be what most people regard as the No1 light heavy fighter in the world and set up a classic with Rampage Jackson at the beginning of the New Year.

Prediction: Shogun by KO

Rampage for the winner.

Main Event

Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell vs Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine

This could have been for the title if both won the last bout, but with both having been stopped in dramatic fashion, it’s set up a great main event either way. A victory I would have thought will get them back into the frame for a title shot but not right away as the winner will most likely face Wanderlei Silva in December.

I feel Jardine will have it a bit easier knowing the game Liddell brings to the table and is not as explosive with strength and striking as Alexander was at UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson II & Liddell loves the counter approach.

It could be interesting if Jardine can take it to the floor as he is a very good all round fighter being trained by one of the best in the business in Greg Jackson and also how Liddell will respond with walking into the octagon not the champ.

Prediction: Jardine by Decision

Overview - a great card with an always increasing number of fighters after the purchasing of Pride and a lot to look forward to in the coming months & years within the MMA world.