UFC 76: Knockout | Event Profile, Full Results & Legacy
- Ariel Helwhiney
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction
UFC 76: Knockout. September 22, 2007. Honda Center, Anaheim, California. The event was subtitled ‘Knockout’ and produced no knockouts. Keith Jardine defeated Chuck Liddell by split decision — 29-28, 28-29, 29-28 — in Liddell’s second consecutive loss. Forrest Griffin submitted Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua with a rear-naked choke in round three in one of the card’s biggest upsets. Shogun was making his UFC debut.
The original main event was supposed to be Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva — the most anticipated LHW fight in the sport’s history at the time, first announced at UFC 61 in July 2006. The fight was never made. Lyoto Machida continued his unbeaten run. Jon Fitch defeated Diego Sanchez by split decision to build his WW contender case.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. Quick Stats
3. The Build-Up
4. Main Event
5. Co-Main Event
6. Full Results
7. Bonuses & Awards
8. Records & Milestones
9. Legacy & Impact
10. FAQ
11. References
Quick Stats
Date: September 22, 2007
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California, USA
Attendance: 13,770 (11,817 paid); Gate: $1,985,000; PPV: ~475,000 buys
Main Event: Keith Jardine vs. Chuck Liddell — Light Heavyweight
Result: Keith Jardine def. Chuck Liddell — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Irony: Subtitled 'Knockout' — ZERO knockouts on the entire card
Notable: Griffin subs Shogun (UFC debut); Machida unbeaten; Fitch def. Sanchez; Liddell second consecutive loss
The Build-Up
Chuck Liddell had lost to Quinton Jackson at UFC 71 in May 2007 by first-round KO.
Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio Rua was the co-main story. Rua — known as ‘Shogun’ — was one of the most feared fighters in the world from PRIDE. He had won the PRIDE LHW Grand Prix. His UFC debut against TUF 1 winner Griffin was a massive test.
Main Event
Keith Jardine vs. Chuck Liddell — Light Heavyweight
Keith Jardine used movement and leg kicks to control distance. Chuck Liddell had his moments but never solved Jardine’s angles. In round two, Jardine dropped Liddell with a right hand and followed with body kicks. Liddell rallied in round three but not enough. Two judges gave it 29-28 for Jardine; one for Liddell.
Chuck Liddell's second consecutive loss represented the most serious decline of his career. He lost two more fights after UFC 76 before retiring in 2010.
Co-Main Event
Forrest Griffin vs. Mauricio Rua — Light Heavyweight (Rua UFC Debut)
Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua was the PRIDE LHW Grand Prix champion and one of the most feared fighters in the world. Forrest Griffin was the TUF 1 winner on a rebuilding run. Rua was the massive favourite. Over three rounds, Griffin’s conditioning proved decisive. In round three, Griffin locked in a rear-naked choke and Rua tapped at 4:45.
Forrest Griffin winning the FOTN by submitting one of the sport’s most feared fighters was a result almost no one predicted. Shogun later revealed he had entered the fight with a severe knee injury that required surgery afterward. The performance was not representative of his ability.
Full Results
Preliminary Card
Matt Wiman def. Michihiro Omigawa — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00
Christian Wellisch def. Scott Junk — Submission (Heel Hook) — R1, 3:19
Jeremy Stephens def. Diego Saraiva — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (30-27 x3)
Rich Clementi def. Anthony Johnson — Submission (RNC) — R2, 3:05 — catchweight 177 lbs
Main Card
Tyson Griffin def. Thiago Tavares — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 — LW; Fight of the Night
Lyoto Machida def. Kazuhiro Nakamura — Decision (Unanimous) — R3, 5:00 (30-27 x3) — LHW; Machida unbeaten
Jon Fitch def. Diego Sanchez — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) — WW
Forrest Griffin def. Mauricio Rua — Submission (RNC) — R3, 4:45 — LHW; Shogun UFC debut; Griffin wins as massive underdog
Main Event — Light Heavyweight
Keith Jardine def. Chuck Liddell — Decision (Split) — R3, 5:00 (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) — Liddell’s second consecutive loss
Bonuses & Awards
Fight of the Night: Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Tavares. $40,000 to each fighter.
No KO of the Night was awarded — the entire card produced zero knockouts despite the ‘Knockout’ event subtitle. The irony was noted widely.
Records & Milestones
Chuck Liddell's second consecutive loss — after the Jackson KO at UFC 71, now a split decision loss to Jardine; his dominant LHW era over.
Zero knockouts on a card titled ‘Knockout’ — noted as one of MMA’s great naming ironies.
Forrest Griffin subs Shogun — Rua later revealed he fought with a severely damaged knee that required surgery; his UFC debut did not reflect his true ability.
Lyoto Machida continues unbeaten UFC run — UD over Nakamura; still undefeated through 11 fights at this point.
Legacy & Impact
Chuck Liddell losing twice in a row marked the effective end of the LHW era he had defined since 2004. Jardine’s split decision was controversial in its own right — Liddell fans felt the stoppage should have been R2 for their man — but the result closed out Liddell’s title-contender status permanently.
Forrest Griffin's submission of Shogun set up his eventual LHW title shot at UFC 86 in July 2008, where he defeated Quinton Jackson to become champion. The Griffin-Shogun fight at UFC 76 was the unexpected stepping stone that made it happen.
FAQ
Why was UFC 76 called 'Knockout' if there were no knockouts?
The subtitle 'Knockout' was chosen in advance as part of the event branding. The card went on to produce zero knockouts — every fight ended by decision or submission. It became one of MMA's famous naming ironies.
What was the original main event planned for UFC 76?
Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva — announced by Dana White at UFC 61 in July 2006 as the most anticipated LHW fight in the sport. The fight was never made.
How did Forrest Griffin defeat Mauricio Shogun Rua at UFC 76?
Griffin submitted Rua with a rear-naked choke at 4:45 of round three in a major upset. Rua later revealed he had entered the fight with a severely injured knee that required surgery afterward.
What was the result of Liddell vs Jardine at UFC 76?
Keith Jardine defeated Chuck Liddell by split decision — 29-28, 28-29, 29-28. It was Liddell's second consecutive loss and effectively ended his run as a top LHW contender.
What fight won Fight of the Night at UFC 76?
Tyson Griffin vs. Thiago Tavares won Fight of the Night. $40,000 was awarded to each fighter.
References
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