Chuck losing to Rampage... bad for MMA?

TravelinMonty · #1 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:10 PM

Chuck is definitely the poster boy for MMA in the US. He is by far the most recognizable face on the sport. I think the sport needs an icon like Chuck to bring it to the next level.

I am a big Rampage fan and would love to see him slam Chuck unconscious. But, does MMA need a Chuck Liddell to take the sport to the next level? I think they might. A reigning champ that people start to recognize is probably the best thing for the sport right now.

ESPN magazine is the first step to this type of recognition.

BigBanda · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:14 PM

Nah top fighters that are stars lose and they are still huge draws for the sport like Tito, Couture, Hughes, Franklin, etc... all have had their ups and downs with losing and still are holding their own regardless of having a title or not.

Chuck Liddell will still be the poster boy or one of the poster boys for MMA for the remaining of his career because of the success he has had in his career regardless of whether or not he loses to Rampage.

lilp86 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:16 PM

I agree to an extent its good and bad its bad for the reasons you stated but it shows the casual fans that anything can happen in this sport and no one is unbeatable. Also if Rampage was to win he would be just as good an embasador of the sport as Chuck

808botz · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:20 PM

Every Top Dog gets beat. Plus Rampage's personality Is Very funny and would Reach out to more Casual Fans too. Doesnt matter if he Gets the W or not.

scottsec · #5 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:20 PM

Rampage will be a great champ. He's is a pretty cool guy....imo

CHUCKtheCHAMP · #6 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 07:29 PM

i dont think it would be bad, i still think chuck would be a huge draw and a good face for mma, rampage would be a good champ too imo...

but chuck is keeping his belt and he will be the reigning champ you speak of...

Adambomb · #7 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:07 PM

Rampage winning would be GREAT for MMA. Chuck is one of, if not THE, best fighter(s) to ever set foot in the octagon, but he's about as charismatic as a sack of potatoes. Rampage is very outgoing and more marketable.

Plus, if he beats Chuck they'll eventually have a rematch which will generate another huge buyrate, and will lead to fresh title matchups at 205. Chuck has already beaten everyone of note that isn't in PRIDE, and I can't see them tearing Shogun, Wandy, and Hendo away from an already struggling organization.

neonatural45 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:14 PM

If rampage can do it I see fans liking him just as much as they like their chuck.

DonFrye · #9 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:31 PM

I think Rampage beating Chuck would be good for the sport. Picture this: Unless someone reputable and truly a badass comes in to fight in LHW, Chuck is going to retire champion (and possibly really soon). That will leave a void in MMA for the casual fan. You don't really think that Rashad/Jardine/Forrest or anyone like that can carry the torch for LHW do you? The sport needs someone new to latch onto, or to test Chuck's mettle to the very end. Chuck needs an epic battle. 5 rounds of suspense and possibly a loss followed by a return to define his career. Last time he and Dana got cocky and tried to prove he was the greatest in the world, he got caught and man-handled.

smoogy · #10 (**permalink**) 05-09-2007, 08:46 PM

Rampage is likely to bring in more black fans to the UFC in addition to being very popular with the established fanbase because he has ten times more charisma than Liddell could ever hope to have. So I can't see how him winning would be bad, especially since it actually makes the UFC 205 division interesting for once.