Chuck Liddell
[9] While growing up in Santa Barbara, he often frequented the Del Playa Drive, a street popular for parties in the UCSB college town of Isla Vista.[14][15] In his next bout, he faced Brazilian fighter Jose "Pele" Landi-Johns at an International Vale Tudo Championship event in São Paulo, Brazil, which was bare-knuckle.Despite being a heavy underdog in his opponent's home country, Liddell dominated the vale tudo fighter on the feet, and won via decision.After a technical submission loss to top contender Jeremy Horn shortly after, Liddell began establishing his reputation as a top contender with dominant victories over Kevin Randleman, Murilo Bustamante, Vitor Belfort, Amar Suloev, Jeff Monson, and Renato Sobral.Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to fight in Pride, where he represented the organization against fellow kickboxer Guy Mezger, knocking him unconscious.Couture eventually gained full mount and forced a referee stoppage due to a barrage of punches.[18] After his defeat to Couture, Liddell entered the Pride 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix tournament as the official UFC representative.Returning to the UFC, Liddell was once again in contention for the light heavyweight title, preparing for a match with former champion Tito Ortiz.Eventually, after Ortiz lost the title to Randy Couture, the two would meet in a highly anticipated bout at UFC 47 on April 2, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada.When the round ended Ortiz pushed referee "Big" John McCarthy out of his way, into Liddell, and the pair exchanged words.Shortly after the second round started, Liddell landed a flurry of punches that dropped Ortiz and led to a TKO victory.[19] Since UFC 47, the bad blood between both fighters remained, with Ortiz repeatedly stating that he wanted "his" title belt back.Both of the winners of the show, Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin, were members of Team Liddell and went on to have very successful careers in the UFC.Liddell eventually won the fight via TKO in 2:46 minutes of the fourth round after Horn informed the referee that he could not see.In his next defense, at UFC 62 on August 26, 2006, Liddell would beat Renato "Babalu" Sobral, who he had defeated nearly three years prior.Liddell lost a close split decision, making it the first time he had suffered consecutive losses in his career.It was later officially announced that undefeated wrestler "Suga" Rashad Evans would replace Maurício Rua in a bout at UFC 85 in London, England.It was later announced that Liddell would be coaching against fierce rival Tito Ortiz on the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter, with the two of them fighting each other on June 12, 2010, at UFC 115.However, in March, it was rumored that Ortiz had pulled out for unknown reasons and would be replaced by former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin.[47] Liddell was visibly emotional at the announcement, acknowledging his retirement and an end to his fighting with words of farewell: "Most of all I want to thank my fans and my family.On September 8, 2013, during an interview on the Opie and Anthony show, Liddell stated that there was a possibility of one last comeback, similar to George Foreman.Liddell's style (a hybrid of karate and kajukenbo) focused mainly on the hands, although he was also successful at times with the head kick.To viewers, his unique striking style did not appear refined but his combination of speed, accuracy, and power meant that he was one of the most dangerous knockout artists of his time.After his bond was met and Liddell was released, he posted a statement on his Instagram page stating he was the victim of domestic violence, but offered to protect his family from legal issues and voluntarily went into custody instead of his wife.[58] Liddell continues to train in San Luis Obispo, California, where he attended college along with fellow team member and friend Wyatt Courtney.[71] Liddell released his autobiography, Iceman: My Fighting Life, on January 29, 2008,[72] and it spent multiple weeks on the New York Times' best seller list.
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaLight HeavyweightHeavyweightSan Luis Obispo, CaliforniaJohn HacklemanKajukenboBrazilian jiu-jitsuNCAA Division IWrestlingKickboxingMixed martial artsCalifornia Polytechnic State UniversitySherdogmixed martial artistUFC Light Heavyweight ChampionRandy CoutureTito OrtizUFC Hall of FameboxingKaratetattooDel Playa DriveIsla VistaSan Marcos High SchoolcenterlinebackerCal Polyfolkstyle wrestlingUFC 17Mobile, AlabamaInternational Vale Tudo ChampionshipSão Paulovale tudoJeremy HornKevin RandlemanMurilo BustamanteVitor BelfortAmar SuloevJeff MonsonRenato SobralGuy MezgerRandy Couture vs. Chuck LiddellGreco-RomanUFC 43Alistair OvereemQuinton "Rampage" JacksonChuck Liddell vs. Tito OrtizUFC 47"Big" John McCarthyThe Ultimate FighterSpike TVDiego SanchezForrest GriffinUFC 52UFC 54sprawlgrapplingsubmission wrestlingUFC 57UFC 62Renato "Babalu" SobralKnockout of the NightUFC 61PRIDE Middleweight ChampionWanderlei SilvaDana WhiteMirko FilipovićUFC 66Fight of the NightUFC 71Howard Davis Jr.Maurício RuaYahoo! SportsUFC 76Anaheim, CaliforniaKeith Jardineleg kicksUFC 79Maurício "Shogun" Rua"Suga" Rashad EvansUFC 85Rashad EvansUFC 88American Top TeamUFC 93UFC 97MontrealUFC 100UFC 101Rich FranklinUFC 115VancouverOscar De La Hoya'sGolden Boy PromotionsInstagramJoba ChamberlainThe PitLincoln, NebraskaJohn McCain2008 United States presidential electionUFC 68Good Morning AmericaESPN The MagazineNew York TimesThe Postman Always Rings TwiceHow HighCradle 2 the GraveBachelor Party VegasThe Death and Life of Bobby ZDrillbit TaylorThe Ballad of G.I. JoeGung-HoPassion Play (film)Kick-Ass 2Fight LifeWar PigsOmar BradleyAccelerationSteve-ODirect-to-videoEntouragePunk'dThe SimpsonsThe Great Wife HopeDancing with the StarsDeadliest Warrior