Chuck Liddell
HOF | Published January 5th, 2008
  Chuck Liddell is destined for eventual entry into the MMAMemories.com Hall of Fame because of many reasons, including the fact that in the Octagon, few have proven to be his equal. Liddell, a standout collegiate wrestler at Cal Poly, where he earned a degree on accounting, made his MMA debut as a UFC competitor in 1998, winning a decision over Noe Hernandez.
He worked his way up the ranks from there, beating people like Kevin Randleman, Vitor Belfort and Renato Sobral, and putting himself in a position where he could finally challenge for a UFC title. But in the light heavyweight ranks, then-champion Tito Ortiz seemed to be stalling things, to the point where his title was actually out into limbo. Liddell was matched in a fight for the “interim” title with Randy Couture, the former Oklahoma State All-American wrestler, and the two fought at UFC 43. In the first of an historic MMA trilogy, Couture got the better of Liddell, ending things in the third round. Liddell then suffered a disappointment in Japan, where Quinton Jackson knocked him out in a PRIDE Grand Prix event.
Liddell’s greatest moments were yet to come, however, as he went on a run that made UFC history.
It began with the highly-anticipated match with Ortiz, at UFC 47, where Liddell blitzed his opponent early in the second round for a TKO win. One year later, Liddell knocked out Couture in the first round to win the UFC light heavyweight crown. He then took Couture out again, this time in two rounds, to defend the belt. And in the rematch with Ortiz, at UFC 66, he won with a hard-fought third-round TKO. Proving the box-office appeal of the duo, it was, to that time, the most widely-viewed pay-per-view event in UFC annals.
Liddell finally lost his title in May of 2007 when he was knocked out by his old nemesis, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. And he suffered a big disappointment in his next bout when he was upset by Keith Jardine. But he had held his title for two years, and had gone in with two of the sport’s legends - Couture and Ortiz - and won four out of five bouts. he’s not through yet, as plans are for him to fight Wanderlei Silva, another legend, in UFC 79.
In addition to his prowess in competition, Liddell is also one of the key figures in helping to catapult mixed martial arts into a position where it has entered the consciousness of mainstream America. He has garnered much attention from major media, and done guest spots on popular television shows such as HBO’s “Entourage.” In terms of image-building, he has been a major asset to the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts in general. And he has been a credit to the spirit that makes the MMA competitor the greatest on earth.
|
Loading ...
