| One of the most anticipated fights in the | | | | |
| short history of mixed martial arts is Chuck | | | | Chuck Liddell needs no introduction to mixed |
| Liddell versus Wanderlei Silva. Since 2003 | | | | martial arts and especially UFC fans. He has |
| this on again, off again match up has teased | | | | defeated two legends of the sport twice each. |
| fans of both the UFC and Pride fighting | | | | With big wins over Randy Couture and Tito |
| championships, but now it looks like the | | | | Ortiz, Chuck Liddell established himself as |
| fight may be on again. | | | | the UFC's top light heavyweight player for |
| | | | much of the last three years. However, Chuck |
| UFC 79 on December 29th, 2007 is the rumored | | | | is coming off of two losses. The first was a |
| date for the fight to take place. The venue | | | | flash knockout loss to Quinton "Rampage" |
| is in Las Vegas and the anticipation could | | | | Jackson, with that loss the belt changed |
| not be any higher. It's true that both | | | | hands and Quinton became the new light |
| Wanderlei and Chuck are coming off back to | | | | heavyweight champ. |
| back losses, but when you look at those | | | | |
| losses and the quality of opposition it's | | | | Chuck's second loss is more interesting. It |
| clear that both of these guys are still at | | | | came to Keith Jardine, now most MMA fans |
| the top of their game. | | | | would argue that Jardine is strong and tough, |
| | | | but Chuck went into that fight as the |
| Wanderlei Silva has fought an absolute who's | | | | favorite. The fight was close and the judges |
| who of 205lb mixed martial artists and won | | | | gave the decision to Jardine. There wasn't a |
| the vast majority of those battles. He's | | | | single take down in the fight meaning that |
| defeated Quinton Jackson twice in dominant | | | | Chuck, formerly the most feared striker at |
| fashion, defeated Dan Henderson, Ricardo | | | | 205lbs has been beaten twice in a row, both |
| Arona, Kazushi Sakuraba, but has yet to face | | | | time on his feet. |
| the best of the "new" UFC. How will | | | | |
| Wanderlei match up against Chuck Liddell, | | | | In the fight with Wanderlei Silva, if Chuck |
| Keith Jardine, Houston Alexander or Forrest | | | | can keep his composure and land some big |
| Griffin? I personally think that Wanderlei's | | | | straight shots inside of Wandy's wild looping |
| strength, power and aggression is difficult | | | | punches he can make a short night's work. |
| for any fighter to deal with. He has a wild | | | | Chuck hits very hard, but most of his really |
| style that could either make it a very easy | | | | hard shots seem to be looping overhand |
| night for Chuck, or the worst night of Chuck | | | | rights, I don't think those will be |
| Liddell's career. | | | | particularly effective against Wanderlei |
| | | | Silva; Chuck needs to throw straight. Also, |
| Wanderlei likes to throw looping heavy | | | | Chuck Liddell should avoid the clinch with |
| punches, much like Chuck does, although | | | | Wanderlei at all costs, if he needs more |
| Chuck's are just a touch straighter. The | | | | incentive he should watch Wandy's two fights |
| difference is in the clinch and ground game | | | | with Quinton Jackson. |
| where I believe that Wanderlei Silva has a | | | | |
| distinct advantage over Liddell. If | | | | Let's all just hope that this fight happens |
| Wanderlei gets Chuck in at close quarters it | | | | as the rumors state on December 29th. I'm |
| will be a very tough night for Liddell and | | | | not picking a winner or a favorite in this |
| three losses in a row may spell retirement | | | | fight, I just want to see it happen. |
| for the "Ice Man". | | | | |