Chuck Liddell (21-6) fought one time in 2008. That is the least number of fights “The Iceman” has fought in a year’s time since beginning his professional career in 1998 at UFC 17.
Liddell’s lone 2008 outing did not end well for the man once feared the MMA world over for his knockout power. On September 6, 2008 at UFC 88, Rashad Evans (13-0-1) left Liddell in an unconscious heap inside the Octagon at Philips Arena, in Atlanta, Georgia. It was an image that sent a deafening silence over the thousands of fans who were cheering just seconds before. It was scary.
It is also a moment UFC President Dana White never wants to relive again, “I love him, and I don’t want to see what I saw in his last fight ever again.”
Fearful that “the Iceman” will tarnish his legacy, White told the Canadian Press, “I’ve made it very clear to Chuck. 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.”
Would Dana White really cut one of his best friends, Chuck Liddell, from the UFC roster if he were to lose at UFC 97 in Montreal? On April 18th at the Bell Centre, Liddell will face a tall order in Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (17-3). Rua, a man once just as feared as Liddell for his knockout ability, is 1-1 in the UFC.
UFC 97 is appropriately named “Redemption.” Rua, age 27, will be looking to redeem himself from a loss to Forrest Griffin (16-5) at UFC 76 and a shoddy performance (even though he won) against Mark Coleman (15-9) at UFC 93. On the other hand, Liddell at age 39, needs to redeem himself from a career that has all the markings of being on its last legs.
By: Jack Bratcher
Dana pretty much has no choice in this one, as the UFC is a what have you done for me lately type of business. Personal feelings aside, Dana has to do whats right for business, and Chuck’s best days are well behind him. Throw in the close personal relationship, and I am sure Dana doesnt want to see his friend get beat to a pulp, or worse, be relegated to the undercard of any PPV.