MMA HALL OF FAME: CHUCK LIDDELL

ALIAS: “ THE ICEMAN”

DIVISION: LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT (205)

WINS: 21

LOSSES: 8

LAST FIGHT: UFC 115

NATIONALITY: AMERICAN

ACHIEVEMENTS: LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION (UFC 52, UFC 54, UFC 57, UFC 62, UFC 66) INAUGURAL COACH OF ” THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER” REALITY SERIES ON SPIKE TV(2005), INDUCTED INTO UFC HALL OF FAME (JULY 10, 2009)

STYLES: KICKBOXING, WRESTLING (NCAA), BJJ(PURPLE BELT), KENPO KARATE(5TH DAN BLACK BELT), KOEI KAN KARATE(BLACK BELT)

ABOUT: Liddell is associated with John Hackleman and The Pit fight team and earned a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Liddell has a brother, Sean, who also competes in MMA, fighting last in the WEC. He also has a brother named Dan and a sister named Laura. Liddell continues to train in San Luis Obispo, California, where he attended college. He has two children, a daughter named Trista, with female MMA fighter Casey Noland, and son Cade.Chuck once dated the female host of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, Willa Ford. Liddell is no longer engaged to his longtime girlfriend Erin Wilson. He is a former part owner of two bars in Lincoln, Nebraska, Dillinger’s and NZone. He also owns a store called “Ultimate Iceman”, a memorabilia store in San Luis Obispo. Liddell endorsed John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential election. Liddell proposed to his girlfriend Heidi Northcott on November 4, 2010. The couple had a first child together, a daughter, in 2011.

Liddell began studying Koei-Kan karate at the age of 12; the tattoo seen on his scalp reads “Koei-Kan”. Liddell was a four-year starter on the football team at San Marcos High School. While growing up in Santa Barbara, he often frequented the infamous Del Playa Drive, the middle of the party scene of the college town of Isla Vista, where he often found himself in fights with drunk college students. He also claims to be 3rd generation Irish in his autobiography. He became a Division I wrestler at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business/Accounting in 1995. He holds an amateur kickboxing record of 20 wins and 2 losses, with 16 of his wins coming by way of knockout.

When Liddell started his MMA career, he began to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under John Lewis in Las Vegas, Nevada. Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 during UFC 17 in Mobile, Alabama, with a decision victory over Noe Hernandez. Despite 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, Renato Sobral and Tito Ortiz. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter currently on the roster to go fight in Pride where he represented the organization against fellow kickboxer Guy Mezger, knocking him out cold in one of the most exciting fights in the earlier days of MMA.

With the opinions and considerations of his family and friends in mind after losing three consecutive fights by knockout, Liddell decided to end his fighting career on December 29, 2010. At the UFC 125 press conference, Liddell announced his retirement and stated he would be taking the position of Vice President of Business Development within the UFC. 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. I love this sport and I’m excited to go to this new stage in my life and keep promoting the best sport in the world, the sport I love… now that I’m retired.” (SOURCE WIKI)

MMA CORNER NOTE: A UFC Hall of Famer, The ICEMAN finished his career with the 2nd most knockouts in UFC history. This man is a true champion, holding onto his title for 5 consecutive title defenses. Liddell was famous for his haymaker which leveled several opponents in the octagon including some infamous names in MMA such as Alistair Overeem, Randy Couture, Kevin Randleman, Tito Ortiz, and Guy Mezger. Chuck Liddell can also be accredited with bringing the sport of MMA to mainstream America. ICEMAN, Sir we salute you for your dedication and stewardship of the sport we all have come to LOVE.

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