Upcoming Fight Card: UFC 76 "Knockout"

The Rundown

This saturday, September 22nd, the Honda Center in Anaheim, California will be the venue for which UFC 76 "Knockout" takes place. The fight headlining this card features Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell (20-4-0) taking on Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine (12-3-1). Both of these light-heavyweight fighters are coming off knockout losses, and are facing each other to see who regains a spot in the running for Rampage Jacksons' light-heavyweight title.

Also on this card is the debut of the Chute Boxe Academy's ace in the hole, and Pride Superstar; Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (16-2-0). For his first fight in the UFC, he will be pitted against fan favorite Forrest Griffin (14-4-0) who has recently been propelled into the limelight due to his success on The Ultimate Fighter reality television series.

Finally the last "headliner" fight features Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez (17-1-0), who is coming off his first loss of his career as he fights against Jon Fitch (14-2-0), who is currently on a 13 fight win streak.

My Fight Picks

Chuck Liddell VS Keith Jardine

Personally, with this fight i feel that the UFC is feeding Chuck Lidell a can with a name to crush. Both fighters are coming into the fights having been knocked out in their most previous bouts. Seing as how Jardine was knocked out in the first round by Houston Alexander, who has been making waves in his division, i feel that Houston should be the one fighting Liddell.

Nevertheless, My Prediction for the Winner is Liddell by 1st round KO/TKO

Shogun Rua VS Forrest Griffin

I believe Shogun is entirely too resourceful to find himself in trouble by Forrest. Although it has been made public that Shogun is going into this fight without a gameplan, and Forrest has been studying tapes of his fights and establishing a solid strategy, Shogun has never really used gameplans before and its worked out fine for him. Without headstomps and soccer kicks, i feel like Shoguns finishing ability may be hindered, but i dont see Forrest Griffin getting past round 2. I'm giving him leway with that, considering Shogun has some cage-rust, and has never fought in the octagon, let alone not fighting in a cage since 2003, where he accumulated his only real legitimate loss to Renato Sobral via Guillotine Choke.

My Prediction for the Winner is Shogun Rua by 2nd round KO/TKO

Diego Sanchez VS Jon Fitch

This is an interesting fight because both fighters involved DO NOT want to lose under any circumstances. Jon Fitch has won every fight he has been involved in, in the UFC and is currently (like i said before) on a 13 fight win streak. Diego Sanchez has tasted defeat for the first time at UFC 69 where he was handed a decision loss to rival Josh Koscheck. Diego does not want to lose again and wants to prove that his lackluster performance at 69 is not something we should get used to seeing. Diego no longer has the pressure of being an undefeated fighter and has alot to prove to the audience. Jon Fitch is coming into the fight on a win streak which may add pressure for him.

My Prediction for the Winner is Diego Sanchez via 1st round KO/TKO

Undercard Fight Predicitons.

Matt Wiman VS Michihiro Omigawa - Round 2 Submission for Wiman.

Kazuhiro Nakamura VS Ryoto Machida - Round 2 KO/TKO for Machida.

Tyson Griffin VS Thiago Tavares - Round 2 Submission for Tavares.

Diego Saraiva VS Jeremy Stephens - Round 1 KO/TKO for Stephens

Christian Wellisch VS Scott Junk - Unanimous Decision for Wellisch

Rich Clementi VS Anthony Johnson - Round 1 KO/TKO for Johnson