Knockout probably wasn’t the best title for UFC 76, with four of the five televised bouts going before the judges, and none of the nine fights ending by KO. But there was some exceptional action on the night, which kicked off in dynamic fashion when Tyson Griffin locked thunder-crashing horns with Thiago Tavares.

It’s always an educational treat and a pleasure when Randy Couture assists with the commentating, and on this particular night he was sporting a strapped left arm from his battle with Gabriel Gonzaga. Earlier on the program, ‘The Natural’ was aiding the two Griffins – both now Xtreme Couture representatives.

Undoubtedly the best thing to happen to martial arts has been the UFC. And the best thing to happen to the UFC has been the acquisition of PRIDE, with the Octagon truly being the place where the world’s greatest fighters put their titles on the line.

It was interesting to see Quinton Jackson’s and Wanderlei Silva’s facial expressions as Keith Jardine and Chuck Liddell banged it out.

Rich Clementi defeated Anthony Johnson by rear naked choke  – 3.05, Round Two.

Jeremy Stephens defeated Diego Saraiva by unanimous decision.

Christian Wellisch defeated Scott Junk by heel hook – 3.19, Round One.

Matt Wiman defeated Machihiro Omigawa by unanimous decision.

Tyson took up post at center ring as Thiago danced around him. They shadow-boxed until 3.37, when Tyson smacked out a heavy-duty leg kick, then moved in for the takedown.

3.29: He had Thiago’s back to the wires and was fighting from guard, pounding Thiago with big right fists.

3.02: Thiago tried to snare Tyson’s left leg for a lock, but Tyson spun out of it and stood.

2.53: Griffin backed Tavares into the fence with a barrage of punches.

2.50: He looked for the takedown, but Tavares resisted well.

2.28: Tavares brought a knee up into Griffin’s midsection and Griffin replied with body punches.

2.16: Tyson persisted with the takedown attempt whilst Thiago sprawled, then swept Tyson to the canvas. Griffin out-scrambled Tavares and wrapped on a guillotine.

2.04: Thiago had Tyson in half guard and the guillotine had little impact, so Tyson aborted the choke and switched back to g’n’p-ing.

1.23: Thiago briefly took Tyson’s back, however Griffin escaped via the tradesman’s entrance and was back pounding.

0.23: The pair were standing in the clinch with Tyson kneeing Thiago’s thighs before the round ended. As a new Xtreme Couture fighter, Griffin had Randy Couture and Jay Hieron in his corner.

Tyson maintained his Thai guard – hands up and palms facing his opponent. Thiago had his guard lower and fists held boxing style. Tyson adopted the hunter role again, with Thiago’s back to the fence.

4.44: Tavares leapt at Griffin with a flying knee. He surprised Griffin and rushed at him. Griffin threw a vicious right hook before Tavares took him down and fought from guard.

4.28: Tavares hammer-fisted Griffin from above.

3.56: Thiago had half guard.

3.52: He got the mount.

3.45: Tyson turned and took Thiago’s back.

3.36: He stood with Thiago latched onto his back, looking for a rear naked choke. Thiago wrapped a body triangle on Tyson and tried to sink the choke in.

2.45: Griffin ignored the choke and focused on twisting around in Thiago’s triangle.

2.40: He succeeded and dropped Tavares to the canvas, then pounded left fists into him from guard.

2.28: Thiago attempted an arm bar that Tyson warded off.

2.07: Tyson was back at pounding Thiago.

1.25: Griffin opted for a guillotine with Tavares in half guard.

1.04: Griffin gave up the choke after Tavares moved to side control.

1.02: Thiago took Tyson’s back.

0.48: Tyson stood with Thiago on his back again.

0.41: He bent forward at the waist and drove Thiago’s head into the floor.

0.39: Tyson was in Thiago’s guard. As the hooter blew, a black egg could be seen where Thiago’s left eye used to be.

4.43: Tavares went for the takedown as Griffin closed in.

4.38: Griffin bulldozed Tavares against the cage.

4.34: They were standing in a clinch, with Tavares dispatching a knee and Griffin shoulder shrugging.

4.13: Thiago took the action to the ground and tied Tyson up with an uma-plata.

3.52: Tyson got to his feet and spun out of the hold before they stood in a clinch.

3.13: Thiago hip-threw Tyson, but they both sprang back to their feet, still clinched.

2.14: Tyson backed out of the tie-up and slammed Thiago with a right elbow and left fist. Thiago shot for Tyson’s leg, but failed. They were standing toe-to-toe.

1.54: Tavares attempted another shoot and took Griffin down.

1.36: The fight was back vertical.

0.49: Griffin kneed to the body before Tavares forced him to the mats.

0.30: Thiago had Tyson’s back, then Tyson maneuvered to half guard. They scrambled for position, but time was up. This was a great battle for the fans and a bludge for Steve Mazzagatti.

4.51: Southpaw Lyoto leg-kicked. Kazuhiro came in with a right and Lyoto kicked to the body.

4.35: They tied up, with the pair exchanging knees.

4.00: They broke free.

3.54: Lyoto kicked Kazuhiro’s inner leg before they clinched.

3.45: The toe-to-toe recommenced.

3.25: Machida drove a shin into Nakamura’s body. They tied up.

3.17: Nakamura attempted a hip throw which backfired, and Machida fell on his opponent before moving into half guard.

2.37: They climbed to their feet in the clinch.

2.17: Nakamura tried another judo throw that failed.

2.09: Machida banged in an inside leg kick.

2.04: He sent a kick towards Nakamura’s head.

1.59: The pair clinched.

1.29: Machida resisted Nakamura’s leg sweep.

1.23: They parted.

1.14: Kazuhiro closed in and Lyoto had him on the floor, fighting from half guard.

0.14: Lyoto stood and dropped a right glove in Kazuhiro’s face. He went back to half guard, then Kazuhiro started climbing to his feet as the first five minutes came to a halt.

4.55: Nakamura closed in casually and caught a crushing right elbow that put him on his butt. Machida dropped to the canvas and dumped leather on his opponent.

4.35: Machida took side control.

4.29: He got the mount.

4.20: Nakamura rolled and Machida took his back.

4.01: Kazuhiro kept rolling and Lyoto returned to mount.

3.54: He grabbed Kazuhiro’s back again after smacking him with elbows.

3.50: Lyoto was looking to set up a rear naked choke.

3.13: Kazuhiro wrangled his way out of the hold and attempted a takedown.

2.46: Lyoto reversed the situation and mounted Kazuhiro. He g’n’ped until 1.58, when Kazuhiro scrambled to his feet. They clinched.

1.17: The pair separated. Machida landed a fist and Nakamura countered with an elbow.

1.09: Nakamura smacked a kick into Machida’s inside leg.

0.32: He dumped an elbow on Machida and progressed to half guard before the round ended.

4.51: Kazuhiro tagged Lyoto with a right.

4.48: He attempted a high kick that Lyoto avoided.

4.45: Lyoto whipped a spinning back kick into Kazuhiro’s body.

4.32: Kazuhiro swept Lyoto to the floor.

4.19: They were upright and clinched.

3.41: Machida grounded Nakamura and fought from half guard.

2.57: Machida had the mount before Nakamura rolled.

2.40: As they climbed to their feet, Nakamura threw a right uppercut and a left hook.

2.30: He was pursuing Machida and wore a knee to the body for his trouble.

2.19: Lyoto backed him up with a big left fist. They tied up, and Kazuhiro was bloody around the nose.

1.32: Lyoto delivered a left elbow.

0.48: He grabbed Kazuhiro in a Thai clinch and brought up a knee.

0.19: Lyoto’s face turned violently when Kazuhiro slammed it with a crushing right elbow. Lyoto left nothing in the ring and Nakamura was knackered, but both men managed to slug it out till the bell sounded. This was another tough war.

Diego charged at Jon to get an early takedown. Jon resisted the invitation as they fought from the clinch.

4.28: They broke free.

4.12: Jon caught the southpaw with a leg kick before they tied up, with Diego still wanting the takedown. Jon resisted well.

2.31: They parted after exchanging knees in the clinch.

2.22: Sanchez had Fitch on the floor.

2.07: The pair scrambled and Fitch put Sanchez on his back, then edged into guard.

1.23: Sanchez applied an arm bar, however Fitch forced his body weight onto the back of Sanchez’s thighs to prevent Sanchez from extending his legs. Diego gave up on the submission.

1.12: Jon worked his way back into guard. He g’n’ped up to the bell.

Sanchez went straight for the takedown again, and Fitch took half guard.

4.24: They stood.

4.20: Diego got the takedown after seizing a right kick from Jon. He was in guard and Jon latched onto Diego’s left leg whilst seeking a more dominant position.

3.15: Jon took Diego’s back after some rollin’ and tumblin’.

2.10: Sanchez turned and fell into Fitch’s guard.

1.53: Fitch stood, with Sanchez hanging upside down on his back, and dumped him on the floor. Sanchez stayed latched onto Fitch’s back, still upside down. Fitch shifted and fought from Sanchez’s guard. Again, Fitch closed the round by g’n’p-ing his downed opponent.

They stood and traded until 4.24, when Jon opted to take Diego down. But Diego whacked on a guillotine from his back. He rose up on his heels and arched his back as the choke appeared to be locked in deeply.

3.45: Jon broke free and was in guard, punching from the top. Diego tried setting up a kimura and then a triangle. However, Jon warded off the attempts and persisted with the g’n’p-ing.

1.08: He had Diego against the fence and thumped from the guard.

0.43: Diego fitted Jon with a triangle. Jon rolled out and moved back into guard. The bout ended with Sanchez trying to catch Fitch in another triangle. This had been a rugged contest. Joe Rogan interviewed Diego after the bout, and Diego summed things up perfectly by telling the crowd, “You don’t need to boo.” He was extremely humble in defeat.

4.56: Forrest kicks Mauricio’s inside leg. He goes with an outside kick and Mauricio counters with a right glove. They throw leather and Mauricio attempts a shoot, but Forrest sprawls and the pair tie up.

4.47: Griffin is against the fence as Rua looks for a hip throw. Griffin withstands the takedown and grabs Rua’s back. Mauricio turns and kicks up as Forrest stands and drops fists.

4.34: He takes Mauricio’s back as Mauricio rolls.

4.23: They’re standing. These two light heavyweights are fighting as lightweights.

4.18: Forrest delivers an inside kick and a jab.

4.12: Mauricio leg-kicks. Forrest counters with an inside kick, then left and right fists.

They continue to exchange as Mauricio holds center ring and Forrest circles.

3.57: Rua takes Griffin down before moving into guard. They trade strikes.

3.05: Rua stands in guard, then drops back down. Even on the floor they stay active – Rua tossing down knuckles as Griffin sends up elbows.

2.20: They stand. Forrest throws a right uppercut and hook. They bang away, with Mauricio slinging leather and Forrest mixing it up, as he did at UFC 72 against Hector Ramirez, attacking with fists and leg kicks.

2.03: Mauricio comes after Forrest. He moves in with punches and they exchange knees after clinching.

1.57: Griffin sweeps Rua from the clinch. He takes Rua’s back, then Mauricio turns and Forrest is fighting from guard. They swap more leather.

1.32: Griffin stands.

1.26: Rua stands.

1.21: Griffin begins working his jabs.

1.12: They trade leg kicks.

1.10: Mauricio catches Forrest with a jab and Forrest replies with a left hook.

0.52: Heavy hands are flying before Mauricio takes Forrest down. Forrest climbs back up as Mauricio latches onto his left leg to tug him down.

0.38: Mauricio wins the tug-o-war and slips into guard.

0.15: Griffin rolls and gets guard. He stands and slams a left into Rua’s face before the hooter blows.

They stand and trade. Forrest varies his punches, now targeting Mauricio’s body as well as hurling headshots.

4.43: He throws a left hook that’s a real rib-rattler.

4.35: He pumps a fist into Mauricio’s left side, and Mauricio grabs onto Forrest’s left leg and pulls him to the canvas.

4.29: Mauricio is in guard, but Forrest looks for a guillotine, then aborts the attempt. Rua unleashes fists as Griffin employs his forearms and keeps shifting his body from underneath to evade the incoming strikes.

3.46: Rua drives a thumping right glove down the block hole and lands it right on Griffin’s dial. He follows with more damaging shots as blood appears on Griffin’s face.

3.35: Forrest scrambles to his feet in the clinch.

3.27: He sweeps Mauricio to the mats and thumps down from half guard.

3.10: He takes Mauricio’s back and pounds away.

3.04: Mauricio gets back up. They bang it out.

2.50: Rua shoots for Griffin’s left leg, so Griffin takes his back and dishes out more knuckles.

2.35: The pair stand, but there’s no Dancing with the Studs – it’s just stand and deliver.

1.23: They’re still slugging it out, Rua dropping his hands down to his sides.

1.15: He goes for Griffin’s left ankle after half shooting and half collapsing. Griffin turns and pulls his foot away before taking Rua’s back.

0.57: Forrest commences raining fists and elbows into Mauricio, who sends elbows from underneath, then rolls onto his knees. Forrest pounds Mauricio up to the bell.

More trading.

4.43: Mauricio shoots. He moves into guard and Forrest tries for a triangle. Mauricio catches Forrest with a left hand and looks for side control, but Forrest spins him back into guard.

3.09: There’s a scramble before Forrest attempts an uma-plata.

3.01: Well, that didn’t come off, but he does take Mauricio’s back.

2.56: He hammers fists into Mauricio.

2.44: They start climbing and Rua yanks at Griffin’s left leg, then Griffin drops into half guard. He further punishes Rua with left elbows and knuckles.

1.45: He takes Rua’s back.

1.24: Forrest drives knees into Mauricio’s body.

1.15: He gets half guard and Mauricio rolls.

0.30: Forrest reclaims Mauricio’s back. This time he gets his hooks in and wraps on a rear naked choke. With just seconds remaining, Mauricio taps. This was a HUGE battle.

They come out of the blocks and Chuck has his left leg right out in lead position like he’s not expecting Keith to shoot.

4.51: Keith closes in with a fist combo and Chuck backs out of range.

4.46: Keith leg-kicks as Chuck counters with a left hook.

4.35: He bangs Chuck’s lead leg with another solid kick.

4.24: They continue to duel and Jardine catches Liddell with a right hook.

4.20: There’s another trade-off, with Liddell planting a left hook on Jardine’s jaw.

4.11: Jardine tags Liddell with a leg kick, then a body kick.

4.05: Chuck keeps coming and drives his right hand into Keith’s abs.

4.00: He left-hooks and Keith returns a right.

3.52: Keith leg-kicks.

3.46: Chuck scores with a volley of punches that back Keith up from one side of the Octagon to the other.

3.38: Keith clips Chuck with a left hook, but the right side of his face is worse for wear, with blood appearing around his right eye after Chuck’s barrage.

3.18: Keith leg-kicks.

3.13: And again.

3.10: He body-kicks as Liddell lands a right fist.

2.42: Jardine leg-kicks.

2.21: Liddell delivers a jab and Jardine responds with another leg kick.

2.10: Jardine throws a powerful left hook.

1.28: They’re trading and Keith dispatches a front kick and catches Chuck’s left eye with a right hand.

1.24: Keith misses with a high kick.

1.18: Chuck backs him up with punches and a kick. Surprisingly, Chuck hasn’t been deploying more kicks.

0.50: Chuck interrupts Keith’s advances with accurate jabs.

0.39: Liddell bops Jardine with a left uppercut and a right hook.

0.22: He backs Jardine up again with a salvo of fists and a left high kick. There’s blood on Jardine’s forehead.

0.10: Jardine hits back with a smacking leg kick.

Keith has his right guard up high to protect the cut and bruising beside his right eye.

4.50: Their kicks clash.

4.42: Chuck lands a jab.

4.31: Keith returns the strike.

4.27: Chuck delivers a right and Keith counters with a body kick.

4.16: Jardine flattens Liddell with a right hook. They tie up, then break free. Neither fighter wants it on the ground.

3.52: Jardine body-kicks.

3.34: He collects Liddell with another right.

3.19: Liddell gets Jardine with a right hook.

2.54: Keith leg-kicks.

2.50: He body-kicks.

2.45: Blood’s trickling down Keith’s forehead as Chuck connects with a right hook.

2.41: Keith throws a right and Chuck counters with a stinging right uppercut.

2.25: Liddell lands a right hook on Jardine’s temple.

2.17: He jabs and Jardine counters with a leg kick.

2.06: Jardine dispatches another leg kick. There’s blood on the left side of his skull.

1.53: Liddell presses forward with leather and a high kick.

1.37: Chuck puts Keith down with a right hand. He comes after Keith with fists blazing and sends up a left knee.

1.24: He tries a spinning back fist that doesn’t quite happen.

1.20: Keith leg-kicks.

1.12: And again. His hands are down, and he has blood coming from his forehead and both sides of his face. But he keeps batting on. Chuck’s left ribs are so red from the body kicks. The pair close the round with Chuck landing mitts and Keith delivering kicks.

4.49: Jardine does a big leg kick. Liddell throws a right as Jardine counters with a left.

4.35: Jardine leg-kicks.

4.07: Liddell fires off a big right.

3.55: Jardine leg-kicks.

3.48: And again.

3.25: There’s another leg kick from Jardine.

3.22: He kicks to the body and Liddell returns a right fist to the body.

3.06: Jardine unloads yet another leg kick.

3.02: Liddell left-hooks. They keep trading.

1.20: Keith puts combos together. He lands with a right kick and a left fist.

1.14: He bangs a left hook on Chuck.

1.03: Chuck delivers a jab to the head and a right to the body.

0.47: He sends a powerful right to the body.

0.21: He lands a right uppercut and hook. Keith replies with a leg kick. They bang it out till the bell rings. Randy Couture calls the fight 29-28 to Keith.