Chuck vs. Shogun Analysis
Published by Cory Brady on April 9th, 2009 in Current Events

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Bombs Away: Liddell vs. Shogun will be a slugfest with serious consequences for the loser

One of the most intriguing matches for the month of April features two of the sports most electrifying knockout artists in the game colliding in a bout that could come with stiff repercussions for both fighters.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will face off with former Pride FC 205 pound champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the co main event at UFC 97: “Redemption” from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada, on April 18.

Both men have failed to perform up to their high expectations in recent bouts. While it’s no guarantee that the loser of this match up will be sent packing from the UFC, there’s no guarantee that they won’t be either.

UFC President made his stance on Chuck Liddell’s future with the UFC quite clear in a recent interview conducted with the Canadian Press.

“I’ve made it very clear to Chuck,” explained White. “Very clear. It’s not about money, it’s not about this, that. Chuck is one of my good friends. Chuck has cemented his legacy in the UFC and in the fight game. I’m not even saying if he wins, unless he looks incredibly impressive (in Montreal) – I mean, he’s going to have to go out there and dazzle me, for me to want Chuck to still fight. I love him, and I don’t want to see what I saw in his last fight ever again.”

While it’s fairly unlikely that Liddell will ever be cut from the UFC, the former light heavyweight champion could definitely be looking at some serious contract negotiations if he is to come up short against Shogun at UFC 97.

A more likely scenario for a Liddell loss on April 18th could possibly be a retirement announcement from the thirty nine year old power puncher. A loss to Shogun would be the type of setback in the aging fighter’s career that would make it nearly impossible for him to challenge for the title in the near future. There should be no question as to Liddell’s sole purpose in the fight game at this point, and that is to capture the UFC’s 205 pound title one last time.

Following four consecutive title defenses at light heavyweight for the UFC, Liddell was knocked unconscious by a devastating Quinto “Rampage” Jackson right hand, and has gone on to drop two of his next three bout since losing the belt.

On the flipside of that coin, it wouldn’t come as that huge of a surprise if Shogun was to be released from the UFC with a loss to Liddell. The loss to Liddell would mark the dangerous Brazilians second loss out of three bout with the UFC, and depending on what he is being paid, which is most likely a large amount, it may not make sense for the UFC to keep Shogun around any longer.

Once known as the best fighter in the world at 205 pounds, Shogun was plagued by a nasty series of injuries and setbacks before failing in his octagon debut against Forest Griffin in September of 2007. Another injury induced break from the sport later, Shogun was recently able to back from the defeat with a third round TKO stoppage over an aging Mark Coleman in January of this year.

The major knock on Shogun since his return to MMA gas been his seemingly diminished gas tank. At one point viewed as relentless cardio machine, Rua’s inability to hold his wind cost him the bout with Griffin and led him to looking unspectacular in his winning effort against Coleman at UFC 93.

Future UFC implications aside, the upcoming bout between two of the sports most vicious finishers promises to be a slugfest that will be talked about for many years to come as both men have displayed a unique ability to separate their opponents from consciousness throughout the course of their decorated fighting careers.

Fourteen of Chuck Liddell’s victories have come by way of knockout. The overwhelming power in his fists have cemented his legacy in mixed martial arts as one of the game’s most explosive power punchers. Perhaps most impressive about The Iceman’s ability to knock his opponents out is the fact that he has spent the bulk of his career in the UFC, flattening many of the toughest and most experienced light heavyweights in the business along the way.

Sure, Shogun has never been knocked out once during his career, but either had Tito Ortiz, Jeremy Horn or Renato “Babalu” Sobral prior to their canvas naps courtesy of the San Luis Obispo slugger.

Shogun has never had too much trouble in laying his foes out on the mat during his career either. An impressive fourteen of his seventeen wins have come by brutal knockout stoppages. A relentless, aggressive style has long been the trademark of the Brazilian striker. Crisp punches, a lethal Muay Thai clinch and devastating ground and pound are just some of the tools that Shogun constantly brings to the table. He has manged knockout wins over top athletes such as Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Alistair Overeem, Ricardo Arona and Mark Coleman during his time in mixed martial arts.

If there is one assumption that can be safely made judging on the pair’s track record of destruction, it’s that this fight is likely to end suddenly and violently. Any fan of brutality should absolutely mark this fight on your calender as one not to be missed.