Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell was last inside the Octagon against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 97 in April. The Iceman suffered a first round TKO loss. Prior to that, he was knocked completely unconscious by Rashad Evans at UFC 88.

His boss and friend Dana White said he should retire. While not committing one way or the other, Liddell recently told SI.com he’s going to take some time off from sparring and fighting, “I think I need at least some time off from getting hit. I’m going to take time off sparring.” As far as how long he wants to take off from competing he said, “for at least a year or so, just to let my head rest.”

It has long been assumed once you are knocked out it becomes easier for it to happen again. In amazing honesty Liddell admitted his brain has taken a beating, “Hopefully my brain can heal over time. The shot last fight is something that normally wouldn’t hurt me.”

While Liddell takes a break from sparring and fighting, it will give him time to work on other aspects of his game, “I’ll train still. Still gonna roll. I’ll probably do a little more jiu-jitsu than normal because I like it. It’s fun.”

Maybe The Iceman will return to the cage in 2010 and start submitting opponents one after the other. Then again maybe he will take a year off, enjoy his fame and fortune, realize he has nothing left to prove, and ride off into the sunset.

By: Jack Bratcher

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