Reality stars Griffin, Evans headline UFC 92

Although Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans earned their UFC contracts by winning competitions on a popular TV reality show, both men are much more than a pretty face — or a bloody face, as is often the case for mixed martial artists.

Winning the respect of their fellow fighters and the UFC public has been tougher than pounding their fellow contestants in "The Ultimate Fighter," but both men earned their place in the sport in recent years with gritty victories that led them to each other.

They'll meet for Griffin's light heavyweight title Saturday night on the loaded UFC 92 card at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.

"If that's how people know you, that's fine," said Evans, who followed Griffin's victory in the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter" by winning the championship of Season 2. "Ever since I came off the show, I've been trying to keep up with Forrest, because he set the tone for guys coming off the show. I wanted to show everybody that the show works to get the best fighters out there. We're going to be the (next) Chuck Liddells and the Randy Coutures."

Griffin's first title defense is just one of three major fights Saturday as the UFC throws itself a New Year's party with one of the most stacked cards in recent history.

Rampage Jackson, the popular star who lost his title to Griffin in July and nearly self-destructed outside the octagon in the ensuing months, looks to get his career back on track against Wanderlei Silva, the Brazilian star who already has beaten him twice.

In addition, interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will meet former champ Frank Mir in a match between two punishing big men who are also two of the sport's best ground fighters. Nogueira has never been knocked out or submitted, but Mir appears to be back near top form after the former strip-club bouncer's 2006 motorcycle accident and two knockout losses.

The winner is expected to face champion Brock Lesnar for the undisputed title.

But the spotlight will shine brightest on Griffin and Evans, who got used to scrutiny during their time on "The Ultimate Fighter."

"It may be a form of validation," Griffin said. "Two guys from the show fighting for the title is pretty impressive. If you win that, or come out of that and do well, people have got to think, 'This guy has been fighting every other week. I think he's earned that now."'