Will Chuck Liddell’s Title Fight Outdo Mayweather-De La Hoya?
Uncategorized May 21st. 2007, 3:40pm
“What’s a Chuck Liddell?” – Johnny Drama on HBO’s Entourage
May 26th at The MGM Grand, UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson, previewed by Eternal Stench
Welcome to the hype machine that is the UFC. Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell has become the unofficial face of the sport in the past few months. Not only was he profiled in ESPN The Magazine, but he also graced the cover. He got an acting part in Entourage, had his name mentioned over and over by boxing champ, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and even made an appearance on the TV show Inked. Like many of the other UFC stars, he has his own cheesy commercial for an energy drink. His acting career did not start with Entourage. He previously played the part of a human punching bag the last time he fought Jackson in 2003 (see below). Rampage Jackson will have no fear, that’s for sure. The guy sports (an homage to WWF’s JYD??) an industrial sized chain around his neck, howls like a wolf, has some vicious strikes and has proven that he’ll go toe-to-toe with The Iceman.
Chuck has a strong record in rematches and has avenged all three of his losses. He’s not getting any younger (37) and needs to strike while the iron is hot. A win at UFC 71 would undoubtedly make him THE fighter in the UFC, if he’s not already. Rampage will certainly not be scared in this fight being as he absolutely wiped the mat with Chuck in PRIDE. Somehow, Rampage is an underdog in the fight according to the oddsmakers, although I have heard comments from people in the sport that have questioned Jackson’s training habits of late. For what it’s worth, Heavyweight Champ Randy Couture predicts “Rampage” will beat Chuck.
This would be a good PPV to buy as even the undercards will bring some action – especially Karo Parisyan vs Josh Burkman – and any fight that features “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine.
As another sign that the UFC is becoming mainstream, ESPNews will be broadcasting the weigh-in on the 25th. Maybe this will allow them to make amends for calling Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, Matt “Sierra” on their first ever Sportscenter highlight.
UFC 71 Official Site
Weigh-in to air on ESPNews (UFCjunkie)
17 Responses to “Will Chuck Liddell’s Title Fight Outdo Mayweather-De La Hoya?”
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May 21st, 2007 at 4:05 PM
I knew Liddell when he was in high school in Santa Barbara. All-State wrestler for two years, bad-ass around town….UFC came along and he definitely found his niche.
That Entourage was outstanding. Drama Got Got. I did a story on the Mayweather idiocy…
http://www.partmule.com/blog16/2007/05/03/tequilla-v-ripple
May 21st, 2007 at 4:17 PM
Do you actually know anything about MMA or do you just go to different message boards read what everyone is saying and then bring it here? Chuck Liddell is THE GUY in the UFC. Otherwise he wouldn’t be on the cover of ESPN the Magazine or on Entourage, someone else would.
Great analysis of the fight too, Randy Couture thinks Chuck will lose, so he probably will. For God sakes if you are going to be the MMA reporter you might want to give some actual reasons besides Randy’s opinion or the fact that Rampage won’t be scared of him.
How about, last time Chuck failed to utilize leg kicks like they had worked on before the match. That let Rampage punch Chuck without fear of having to answer to leg kicks and only avoid Chuck’s hands.
How about Rampage being the only the second guy to successfully take Chuck down (the other being Chuck and Randy 1) and finish him. Hardly anyone is able to keep Chuck on the mat, and that is one of the reasons Rampage was so successful last time.
And how about this little factoid. Since Rampage’s loss to Vanderlei Silva in Pride he has hardly been the same fighter. What once was a man who went in with reckless abandon and feared nobody has now become tame, found the Lord, and really become a slight shell of his former self.
If you are going to represent the sport on a blog of this magnitude, do it right.
May 21st, 2007 at 4:27 PM
Bill, we personally know ZERO about UFC. That’s why we talked to Eternal Stench, and had him write this up. He knows his stuff.
May 21st, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Boy, you guys don’t know nothing …
Chuck Liddell started his acting career in Jack Nicholson’s “The Post Man Always Rings Twice”. Then made his big acting splash in the hilarious, outrageous comic smash hit, Method Man and Redman’s “How High”.
Jeez, did you do your research or “do you just go to different message boards read what everyone is saying and then bring it here?”
May 21st, 2007 at 4:57 PM
I commend you for trying to cover a wide range of sports, but you gotta’ stop posting about the UFC. Brings the wrong type of people to the site. Hey Bill and Jordi, turn off Dad’s computer and get back to the frat house.
May 21st, 2007 at 5:10 PM
Colin, if you think Jordi was being serious then you might be the wrong type of people that you decry.
May 21st, 2007 at 5:18 PM
Bill, if you’re getting on TBL for not writing a good enough preview for a UFC match (which is not exactly Game 7 of the World Series), then it’s time to spend your thumotic energies elsewhere and change your lifestyle.
I’m a boxing guy, so I won’t be buying, but Liddell’s cameo in Entourage show he should probably stick to kicking people’s faces in and leave the acting to the pros.
May 21st, 2007 at 5:35 PM
Whoa, whoa, whoa…take a knee guys. You might pick up on the fact that I’m kind of presenting this to the people who are just getting into the UFC, hence all the references to pop culture. I can get as technical as you want, then the two of you can help me fend off the “UFC Geek” label that will surely be hurled by the new fans. The UFC and MMA in general are no different than other “new” sports. You have your diehards that have been there from the start when the sport was small and relatively unnoticed, and then when the sport gains momentum and standing in the mainstream market, jealousy and a sense of “we were here first” takes over. Best to just enjoy the ride.
Here’s a video of the Liddell-Jackson from PRIDE in 2003 http://youtube.com/watch?v=KoMzRLGukxA
May 21st, 2007 at 5:44 PM
That might be the first time anyone has ever inferred that I am/was in a fraternity. Does inferred fraternity membership bring with it inferred sorority girls?
By the way UM, a week off? Poor.
May 21st, 2007 at 5:48 PM
This upcoming PPV is going to be a HUGE event. Chuck Liddell has been single handedily growing the reach of MMA, and even though the Eternal Stench may know little about this sport, any coverage is good coverage. Promoting these fights on websites is where this all started, now mainstream is finally realizing the potential that the UFC has.
Slick Bomb, boxing is dead, accept it. If anyone out there paid 55 bucks for Mayweather Vs DeLaHoya (me being one of them) do yourself a favor and purchase this event. Undercards actually matter in the UFC, they are not just fill ins, and after watching Liddell and Jackson fight you will be hooked, plus they never charge more then 40 bucks. It took me awhile to get away from boxing, but nothing compares to the UFC.
Prediction: Jackson 2nd round TKO, get’s Chuck to the ground, and finishes him again.
May 21st, 2007 at 6:00 PM
Wow. Foot in the mouth. Jordi’s impersonation of a UFC fan was so spot-on that I didn’t even pick up on the sarcasm. Apologies Jordi. You can still use the fraternity membership I assumed as part of a pick up line, but only for the rest of the day. I’ll shut up now and chime in when we’re discussing a sport I care about.
May 21st, 2007 at 6:01 PM
“By the way UM, a week off? Poor.”
Sorry about that.
May 21st, 2007 at 7:13 PM
Let me say I love seeing UFC coverage anywhere.
This is going to be a great night for MMA and I’ll be there with my friends betting each other on every fight.
As far as Liddell, you should all check out Bachelor Party Vegas
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432373/
to see more of his excellent acting.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with being a UFC fan. Frat boy or not.
May 21st, 2007 at 9:22 PM
TBL not knowing about UFC = TBL shouldnt post about UFC.
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 PM
“Chuck has a strong record in rematches and has avenged all three of his losses.”
Sir, not being nit-picky. Or subversive. Or jealous.
Just asking a question.
Is the above correct? Or would a victory over Rampage be the third avenue of revenge?
Please. I am quite sensitive and would prefer not to receive a vicious internet headbutt over this.
Just trying to expand my personal knowledge.
I’m moving away slowly.
Please don’t strike me.
May 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Sorry NOISb, I counted the Couture redemption twice. But I do believe Chuck will beat Rampage this time. The guy is on a roll and Rampage’s last few fights have been a bit less than stellar. Whatever happens, it should be very intertaining as both guys love to throw bombs. I won’t strike you, I more versed in Abu Dhabi / submission style fighting anyway.
July 12th, 2007 at 7:13 PM
Chuck’s the man…check it out!
http://theturtleguy.org/GALLERY/Albums/Album8/Source/CHUCKLIDDELL_LETTER7.htm