Elite light heavyweights fill UFC 76, Liddell and Shogun in forefront

UFC 76 brings five can't miss fights to the main card. Can Jardine knockout "The Iceman?" Has "Shogun" taken on too much before his UFC debut? Is Fitch going to take the respect he deserves? Saturday night might answer some of these questions...
By Danny Acosta

In the main event of the evening, knockout-inducing strikers Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardine set their targets on Quinton Jackson. Prior the Houston Alexander’s take off on Jardine’s chin, “The Dean of Mean” felt he had earned a shot at Liddell’s gold. The contender was setback and so was the champion, suffering his second devastating loss to “Rampage.”

Now, the two meet in a clash that determines a future title challenger at 205-pounds.

“The Iceman” reigned over the light heavyweight division with a simple game plan: stay standing until the opponent falls. Mixed martial arts’ style diversity suggests this formula is flawed, but Liddell demonstrated on Jeremy Horn, Randy Couture, Renato Sobral, and Tito Ortiz that his sprawl and brawl comes in a complete package with knockout power.

Working out of Greg Jackson’s Submission Fighting, Jardine has a well-rounded game. Despite proficiency in every aspect of the game, he brings nothing to the table the seven-year UFC veteran has not encountered.

The Montana-native, however, wants to mix up strikes with the former champion. Nothing in his MMA career suggests he can take the fight to the mat against Liddell; he really has no choice. Jardine’s leg kicks and punching power are his only strengths in the fight, but Liddell has stood with Guy Mezger, Alistair Overeem, and Vitor Belfort. He does not outmatch the Southern Californian in any category.

Both fighters have excellent recovery rate; they can also be knocked out. Jardine must stay patient—never rush in against Chuck Liddell—and work his stiff leg kicks to set up a big punch. Liddell’s game plan remains the same despite his recent loss. It is also simplified since a takedown attempt is unlikely and an advantage in the clinch.

History points to the former 205-king, but it is 2007. Bigger upsets have happened. Considering this is a punch-for-punch fight between two power hitters, the only reason Liddell is favored is experience.

The featured fight of the night is another light heavyweight clash between two fighters on the opposite end of the MMA spectrum. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua is considered among experts to be the number one 205lbs. fighter in the world and sits unquestionably on pound-for-pound lists. However, the Brazilian made a name for himself in Japan—not North America. That is where Forrest Griffin helped launch the sport of mixed martial arts, while becoming one of the biggest stars in the game despite—by his own admission—not being among the elite in the world.

“Shogun” has military precision in his attack driven by animal instincts. Griffin replies wherever the fight happens and does it with a smile. The Ultimate Fighter winner has improved exponentially in each fight. Training out of Xtreme Couture has elevated his game. The Brazilian, however, has maintained his high level competitive edge by dominating in the doors of the Chute Boxe Academy.

Recently married and making his Octagon debut, Rua may not be the fighter fans have seen in the past. His brother’s recent knockout loss may also factor in. The Georgian’s lion heart and cardio are his six-shooters against Rua’s machine guns. A former police officer, Griffin will have to avoid the clinch and employ his Octagon experience to his advantage. The question is: where does anyone have an advantage against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua?

In 170-pound clash, Jon Fitch and Diego Sanchez step into the Octagon and possibly in line for a title shot. Fitch is undefeated in the UFC, while Sanchez was undefeated in MMA until his last fight—against Fitch’s training partner Josh Koscheck.

The American Kickbox Academy fighter has battled through a series of dark bouts. Conversely, Sanchez has been in the spotlight since entering the Octagon for the first time. If the former Purdue wrestler can beat a bonafide star, his spot in the Octagon will be the best seat in the welterweight division. A loss would push Sanchez toward the bottom end of the deepest divisions in the fight game.

Both fighters are well rounded and have the cardio to keep the fight furious for three rounds. And they will. “The Nightmare” earned his nickname for stifling fighters with his non-stop pace. Fitch does not wait for a fight; he creates it.

It is hard to find a disparity in the two. Both are versed in the ground game: Sanchez competes in high level grappling competition and Fitch is a Dave Camarillo brown belt. Their striking is up in the air: Fitch has a more diverse striking game, but lacks confidence as opposed to Sanchez who throws his hands—only—with pleasure. The only distinct advantage is Fitch’s wrestling.

While the San Jose-based fighter edges out The Ultimate Fighter winner on paper, Sanchez has been in some wars in the Octagon (see Nick Diaz and Karo Parisyan). Fitch has only sampled peril against Roan Carneiro. If this is a battle of wills, Sanchez has been there before and should be overzealous since he is returning from his first defeat.

However, the former Greg Jackson Submission fighter has left the top-tier camp and is on his own training regiment. That may lead his strong mental game astray, leaving a green light for Jon Fitch’s grinding top control.

The night’s swing bout is a lightweight battle between two beasts named Tyson Griffin and Thiago Tavares. Griffin was touted as the next great lightweight before suffering a classic upset against Frankie Edgar and winning an indecisive decision against Clay Guida. Tavares dominated Jason Black in his last outing, submitting the Miletich fighter.

The Northern Californian trains under David Terrell and Cesar Gracie; his jiu-jitsu can keep him afloat in deep waters. Striking and wrestling are where Griffin pulls away in this fight. That is, of course, if can finish the tough Brazilian before his cardio becomes a problem.

Light heavyweights Kazuhiro Nakamura and Lyoto Machida are relative unknowns to stateside fans, but they are arguably top ten fighters. Nakamura makes his UFC debut in his first fight of the year, while Machida has some Octagon experience with stern wins over Sam Hoger and David Heath.

The undefeated fighter proves to be an elusive target with intelligent striking and a solid ground game. A prime Judo player, Nakumura hopes to close the distance, but will have trouble closing in on the Team Black House fighter. Nakamura’s toughness and Machida’s evasive style push this fight into decision territory in anyone’s favor.

UFC 76’s main card is stacked with top ten talent and future members of that class. Expect a night of back and forth action leading to highlight finishes—even if it is a decision.