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."'

When Griffin won a close decision over Jackson five months ago, he didn't seem to believe his good fortune — and he still keeps his title belt at UFC headquarters, instead of taking it home. The former Georgia police officer is still trying to wrap his mind around all the attention his success has created, but staying in training is a good way to adjust.

"People do want a lot of your time," Griffin said. "I don't leave the house if I can help it. I go to the gym, and I go the grocery store. If you don't do anything, people can't bother you."

Evans is undefeated in his 4 1/2-year MMA career, and he's coming off his own defining victory in September, when he knocked out Liddell with one vicious punch. Saturday's fight is Evans' first title shot and the first five-round fight of his career, but the former college wrestler feels well prepared.

"When you've got the wrestling as a background, you learn to use it as a defense so you don't get taken down," Evans said of the adjustment to his new sport. "The hard part is getting comfortable in there to stand and take the blows. Somebody hits you and you want to wrap them up so you don't get hit."

The night's biggest grudge match pits Jackson against Silva in a rivalry that goes back to their time in the PRIDE organization in Japan. Silva is just 1-1 since joining UFC, losing to Liddell last year, but he left Jackson unconscious on the ropes in one of their earlier meetings.

"It ain't no secret that Wanderlei and I see things differently, but I don't hate nobody," said Jackson, who changed his diet and traveled to England to train for the bout. "I'm a professional, and this is my job. I'm not here to be friends with nobody."