Liddell eyes fall return, title shot

Bullock · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 12:55 PM

Chuck Liddell eyes fall return, title shot | MMAjunkie.com

Quote:

by John Morgan

Forced to withdraw from the main event of UFC 85 due to a torn hamstring, fan favorite Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell (21-5 MMA, 16-3 UFC) is now looking to return to the octagon in early fall. And although an opponent has not been determined, Liddell feels a win would earn him a shot at the light-heavyweight title he lost a year ago.

Liddell discussed his return while a recent guest on TAGG Radio (TAGG Radio Network - Home of TAGG Radio & The Lights Out Show!), a content partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).

"It wasn't very fun," Liddell said regarding the injury. "But I've been doing rehab on it, and it's been going real well. I'm hoping to be back fighting in late summer, early fall. You know, September or November."

The latest officially announced UFC date is UFC 87, on Aug. 9 in Minneapolis, Minn. Liddell ruled that date out, stating it was "too early."

Once a date has been determined, Liddell and the UFC can work on arranging a match-up. The 38-year-old would still be willing to take on his original opponent, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, provided the Brazilian recovers from his own knee injury in time.

"It's a possibility," Liddell said of the bout. "If he's healthy and I'm healthy, it's a fight that makes sense."

Regardless whom Liddell ends up facing, the ex-champion feels a victory should be enough to earn him a shot to reclaim the title.

"I've been ready to fight the champion for a long time," Liddell said. "(If) I win in the fall, I think I deserve a title shot."

Liddell is also anxious to avenge his two most recent losses, to light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and the rapidly improving Keith Jardine.

"Of course I would," Liddell said about the opportunity to face Jackson and Jardine again. "And if Forrest (Griffin) wins (against Jackson) in July, which is possible, I'd want to fight him first and get the title. To be honest, it makes it a lot easier to get your rematches when you got the title because people want a shot at the title."

Liddell also addressed the recent controversy surrounding himself and Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson. To hear the full interview, download Friday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

Bigshanks666 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 01:08 PM

If Chuck can get past Shogun I still think he needs one more win before another title shot IMO.

krayven · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigshanks666

If Chuck can get past Shogun I still think he needs one more win before another title shot IMO.

it would be a win over two guys who brutalized the current champ if he were to beat Shogun. .. That "should" warrant a title shot, well except for the fact that he got himself got brutalized twice in convincing fashion by the current champ. Chuck is in a weird space... he needs to root for Forrest because I don't see him beating Rampage. .. he "could" if he kept his damn hands up and excersized a little head movement but I don't see it.

Badluck_33 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 01:39 PM

I say after Shogun, (IF HE WINS) he should fight Jardine and if he wins them both, i think he should deserve a title shot.

IMO.

grambino · #5 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 01:57 PM

Quote:

"I've been ready to fight the champion for a long time," Liddell said. "(If) I win in the fall, I think I deserve a title shot."

Chuck is delusional from the RJ beating he took. He's only got 1 win in the last year and that was less than 5 months ago. He hasn't been ready for all that long. The most recent fight with Rampage was over quick, but the first one was controlled by RJ for most of the fight. I don't think fans want to see a third fight anymore than they want Franklin/Silva again. The Wandy/Rampage III is different because of the direction both fighters went after their last fight.

hunterkiller · #6 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 02:05 PM

Wasn't it just a few days ago that Dana said he can't even tie his shoe without grimmacing. I don't think he will be back until winter. He didn't just pull that hamstring, he tore it.

If he was to have to face someone who hadn't already beat him twice, I'd say he could possibly have a title shot with one more win over a top 5 guy but Rampage has destroyed him twice. It's the Anderson Silva-Rich Franklin effect. Who wants to see that again? Beat a few guys then maybe. But what makes him think the outcome will be different. That's like me saying I want him and Tito to fight again? What would be the point? He would just beat Tito again.

carbondioxide830 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 03:13 PM

one more win and then a title shot? try more like 2, chucky. i say if he can beat shogun and then another top name (perhaps a rematch jardine or wandy) then i say feed him to rampage for the third damn time. i'm sure people will still pay to see that fight.

foutch550 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grambino

Chuck is delusional from the RJ beating he took. He's only got 1 win in the last year and that was less than 5 months ago. He hasn't been ready for all that long. The most recent fight with Rampage was over quick, but the first one was controlled by RJ for most of the fight. I don't think fans want to see a third fight anymore than they want Franklin/Silva again. The Wandy/Rampage III is different because of the direction both fighters went after their last fight.

Right on. No disrespect to Chuck, but he's not in my top 5 LHW I'd like to see Rampage fight. Now before people flip out, I mean Rampage v. Chuck 3 is not in my top five Rampage fights I'd like to see. Chuck had a good win v. Wandy. Now if he can beat Shogun and then maybe someone like Forrest or Jardine in a rematch, then maybe Chuck deserves a look. But IMO, Chuck shouldnt even look for a title fight til late '09 or early 2010.

POINDEXTER · #9 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 03:16 PM

Knock 'em out Chuck! Do it on one leg if you have to.

fredro32 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 03:33 PM

Throw deserves out the window cause desereves doesn't have anything to do with Chuck's scenario. He is 38. He is a ppv generating monster and a fan favorite. He is the UFC golden boy and legend.

In his first fight with Rampage he got beat down, in his second fight he got caught, take nothing away from Rampage he is the champ and deserves to be, but Chuck got caught.