UFC 96: Will We See a New Chuck Liddell?

Posted Jan 05, 2009 5:34PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

Chuck Liddell is expected to return to the Octagon at UFC 96 in March, and finding an opponent for him has been a delicate situation for the UFC: Liddell is one of the most popular fighters in the organization's history, but he's lost three of his last four fights, and there's a sense that the MMA world has found the formula for beating the Iceman.

But while we still don't know who's fighting Liddell next, there's some good news: Liddell is working out at American Top Team in his quest to become a more well-rounded fighter:

Liddell started participating in a few training sessions with some of the nation's top fighters and coaches, including Ricardo Liborio at ATT, to "round out his skills," said his longtime trainer, John Hackleman.

"He was down here during our seminar for a few days training, left and then came back about a week later for a few more days," said ATT general manager Richie Guerriero. "His trainer likes our team and trusts Liborio, so the door is open for Chuck to come back down to help train for his next fight."

Cage Potato wonders whether this is too little, too late, and I do too. Liddell is 39 years old, and I just don't think it's realistic to believe he's ever going to be a champion again.

Still, I'd love to be proven wrong on that. I hope the UFC finds a good opponent for him at UFC 96, and I hope we see a new Chuck Liddell.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-05-2009 @ 7:15PM

TheHulk said...

Johnny Drama wins by TKO in the second round

1-06-2009 @ 10:05AM

Eric said...

Personally I think that Chuck's problems are mental, not physical. Since his loss to Rampage, he has been pressing and looking for the KO instead of being the patient counter puncher he always has been. If the KO presented itself he would go after it, but not at the expense of leaving himself vulnerable.

Chuck was coming forward throwing heavy punches when Rashad floored him ... he wasn't this careless during his championship reign. I realize that it's difficult to be patient in a 3 round fight, but leaving yourself open to take punishment isn't the answer.

I think that a patient Chuck Liddell (preferrably in a 5 round fight) is still a very tough fighter to beat.

1-07-2009 @ 11:42AM

gil said...

lidell is finished. he is old and battered and is strictly fighting for the money.its no fun watching him getting his a## knocked out. retire and let the younger guys do their thing.

1-07-2009 @ 1:15PM

mu_shin said...

When a seemingly invincible fighter is shown to be human, as happened to Chuck in three of his last four fights, I believe other opponents feed off of that experience and no longer approach an icon like Liddell with the same trepidation and fear. It happened to Tyson after Buster Douglas showed he could be beaten, and it has happened to guys like Tank Abbott in MMA, where his opponents who might have been intimidated by his power attacked him with greater ferocity after seeing he could be knocked out. After the Jardine fight, the luster of Chuck's mystique was tarnished, and has been further damaged following his devastating loss to Rashad Evans. I'm sure Chuck Liddell would be a tough match for all but the most elite of the light heavyweight division, and should he revitalize his training among the fighters of the American Top Team, perhaps we can look forward to some more good contests involving the former champion.

1-07-2009 @ 10:24AM

Justin said...

I think Liddell has been training at ATT for a while. Here is a report that's from Dec 5th that talks about it:

http://themmafiend.com/2008/12/05/chuck-liddell-sharpening-his-skills-at-american-top-team/

1-11-2009 @ 7:48PM

Jay Johnson said...

Chuck Liddell has not lost any of his skills.He was the baddest man in MMA before the Rampage fight.After one punch by Rampage and all the sudden he can't fight anymore?In the Jardine fight he took too many kicks and didn't have enough gas in the tank to finish Jardine.Nothing needs to be said about the Silva fight.I will not take anything away from Rashad Evans,he is a scary fighter!It will take a great fighter to beat Rashad or an off night.But Chuck was doing just fine against Rashad,but got too impatient and got caught.If Chuck fights his game and doesn't get drawn into chasing whoever he fights he will do just fine.If you have watched Chucks fights over the years he wins by staying on his feet and countering.A majority of his wins and knockouts were with that short straight right hand while having the other guy chase him or when the other guy made a mistake and left himself open for a split second.I am not saying Chuck couldn't stand to round out his game a little,but just remember how many people where on the Chuck Liddell band wagon just a short while ago.All the successful fighters in the UFC have changed their game along the way by adding more to their game,but they all still rely on their strengths a majority of the time during their fights.Chuck can still win in the UFC against anyone.But he needs to stick to his strength of keeping it on his feet and counter fighting and not chasing the guy and leaving himself open to that overhand right that has caught him in three of his last four fights.He is still a very dangerous opponent for anyone he fights.He needs to be like Randy Couture and come up with a game plan for each opponent and stick to it.He will be just fine.It sounds like he is heading in the right direction with rounding out his game a little.Just remember everyone was saying that what in the world is it going to take to beat this guy before the Rampage fight,he looks unbeatable?