Fans who enjoy world class striking and dynamic knockouts should be in for a treat this Saturday night. UFC 97: "Redemption" is jam packed with hard-hitting fighters that know how to finish opponents.

The event headline will feature a middleweight title fight between champion Anderson Silva and number one contender Thales Leites. When it comes to talented strikers, Silva has been in a class by himself for the past several years. Currently riding a nine fight winning streak, he has put away a long list of some the best middleweights in the world with vicious punches, elbows, knees, and kicks.

Leites, however, is not a fighter that should be taken lightly. His Brazilian jui-jitsu is among the best in the division and many consider him to be a dangerous matchup for Silva. Leites also enters the octagon with a five fight winning streak of his own.

In the co-main event, two of the best strikers of all time, Chuck Liddell and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, will go toe to toe in a contest that's expected to be an all out stand up war. Liddell has lost three of his last four fights and he's looking to use Shogun as a step toward getting a shot at regaining his light-heavyweight title.

Rua, a legendary striker in his own right, is looking to show fans that he can dominate the division in the UFC in the same fashion that he did with PRIDE. These heavy hitters have combined for 38 wins with 28 coming by way of knockout. With stats like that, this fight isn't likely to go to a judges' decision.

Another light-heavyweight matchup features former WEC champion Brian Stann vs. Krzysztof Soszynski. The iron-fisted Stann is 6-1 in his young mixed martial arts career with all six victories ending in a first round knockout. Soszynski is a versatile fighter, finishing fights with both strikes and submissions. His 25 fights reflect a decided edge in experience, but Stann is a war veteran who was awarded a Silver Star for valor in combat. That makes Stann a competitor with the type of heart and bravery that can't be measured in an octagon. The experience and versatility of Soszynski vs. the striking and heart of Stann should equate to a very intense battle.

A clash between heavyweights, Cheick Kongo and Antoni Hardonk, is another matchup of fighters who are well versed in the striking game. Kongo has fast hands for a big man which allow him to lift his powerful knees quickly and effectively. Hardonk, a former kickboxer, brings punching power and strong kicks to his fights but is also a blue belt in Brazilian jui-jitsu under Rickson Gracie. Almost 500lbs of combined weight will slug it out with hopes that a victory will lead them one step closer to a title shot.

The main card is rounded out by another light-heavyweight bout between Steve Cantwell and Luis Cane. Cantwell dethroned Brian Stann from the WEC championship in the only loss of Stann's career. Ironically, Stann also handed Cantwell the lone blemish on his record. Cane enters this fight after consecutive TKO victories over Jason Lambert and Rameau Sokoudjou.

Be sure to check back with us tomorrow for free, live blow-by-blow updates right here at Fiveknuckles.com.