Liddell's UFC 'comeback' bout to be in Anaheim

[warrior06]

Popular former light-heavyweight champion will face veteran Jardine in the main event of UFC 76, scheduled Sept. 22 at the Honda Center.
By Lance Pugmire, Times Staff Writer
July 25, 2007

Anaheim's Honda Center will be the place where former Ultimate Fighting Championship light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell fights for the first time since losing his belt in a surprising first-round knockout loss to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, UFC officials confirmed Tuesday.

Liddell will fight mixed martial arts veteran Keith Jardine in the main event of UFC 76, scheduled for Sept. 22.

The card will also feature another high-profile light-heavyweight bout pitting Forrest Griffin (14-4), the winner of Spike TV's reality television series "The Ultimate Fighter I," against 2005 PRIDE Fighting Championships grand prix middleweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in his UFC debut.

Rua, a Brazilian who has defeated Jackson, is fighting in the UFC Octagon for the first time since the Las Vegas-based organization purchased Japan-based PRIDE earlier this year.

UFC President Dana White has expressed frustration at the scheduling and accounting overseen by the previous PRIDE owners, and told reporters at the UFC event earlier this month in Sacramento that "these guys need to fight."

The 38-year-old Liddell, UFC's most popular fighter, was knocked out less than two minutes into the first round of his May championship defense against Irvine's Jackson at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Liddell had won seven consecutive fights by knockout, a string that included victories over Huntington Beach's Tito Ortiz and current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

Liddell was due to fight former PRIDE champion Wanderlei Silva in an anticipated showdown in Anaheim, but Silva opted not to fight, forcing the UFC to scramble for a replacement opponent in a pay-per-view card that is absent a title fight.

"I was hoping to get Wanderlei. If he doesn't want to fight, what are you going to do?" Liddell said. "I just want to get back to fighting and get my title shot."

But will he get one if he beats Jardine?

"I deserve one," Liddell said.

Like Liddell (20-4), Jardine (12-4-1) was also dismissed in the first round of his most recent fight.

On the same night Liddell lost, Jardine, 31, was a heavier 5-1 favorite against Houston Alexander, who was making his UFC debut. Alexander belted Jardine with a right uppercut and proceeded to pound him until the fight was stopped 48 seconds after it started.

A fight earlier, Jardine appeared on his way toward a title fight shot when he knocked out Griffin in the first round.

"He'll get in there and strike with me, so I think the fans will like that," Liddell said of Jardine.

"For me, I think this is a great fight and people shouldn't underestimate me," Jardine said in a prepared statement. "I think [Liddell] knows this will be similar to my fight with Forrest, a good, exciting, stand-up fight … that ends with a knockout."

Theres also a Shogun video @ the articles link. I'm going to this event!! So if anyone knows when the tix are available, lemme know. Thx
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...adlines-sports

[BigBanda]

"For me, I think this is a great fight and people shouldn't underestimate me," Jardine said in a prepared statement. "I think [Liddell] knows this will be similar to my fight with Forrest, a good, exciting, stand-up fight … that ends with a knockout."

haha yeah a knockout courtesy of Liddell

[Chute]

Chuck Liddell fights for the first time since losing his belt in a surprising first-round knockout loss to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.........I wasnt suprised.

Not bad but if he beats Jardine he thinks he deserves a title shot, nah you got it wrong. You have to beat someone that means something to get the chance, like someone in the top ten.

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by Chute

Not bad but if he beats Jardine he thinks he deserves a title shot, nah you got it wrong. You have to beat someone that means something to get the chance, like someone in the top ten.

wrong, Chuck could fight Herb Dean next and with a win he is getting a title shot.

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by warrior06

\

LOL, Jackson looks funny

[Howie]

Originally Posted by TheBonger

wrong, Chuck could fight Herb Dean next and with a win he is getting a title shot.

doesnt mean he deserves a title shot

[TheBonger]

Originally Posted by Howie3045

doesnt mean he deserves a title shot

just because he doesnt deserve it doesn't mean he wont get it.

And I for one would have no problem with Chuck getting a title shot with a win of Jardine and Shogun fighting the loser of Hendo/Rampage. Chuck was/is the face of the UFC during its biggest growth spurt, im sure Dana and the Ferittas and everyone else feel like they owe him atleast alittle. So he will get his and I dont see anything wrong with that.

[Howie]

If Rampage wins i can't see why they would have CHuck fight him again. they can forget about the ass whooping Rampage handed him before the last one but fact is fact and Chuck aint beatin Rampage anytime soon

[Ramma]

Originally Posted by Howie3045

If Rampage wins i can't see why they would have CHuck fight him again. they can forget about the ass whooping Rampage handed him before the last one but fact is fact and Chuck aint beatin Rampage anytime soon

I bet they will make Hendo fight Liddell, while Jackson fights Shogun...

bottom line.. Shogun vs. winner of Hendo vs. Liddell

[Chute]

Well in the end im glad that Shogun isnt going to get protected like Chuck because if Shogun keeps fighting lower ranked fighter it aint going to be good. If everting going the way I see it I dont even thing Chuck should get a chance to get a title shot again because I think the top 3 LHW in UFC are Shogun Hendo, and Rampage. But in the end its all about money and not as much about the fights so whats it matter, I just cant wait to see Chuck beat Jardine so he can fight Babalu again hahaha