Liddell Vs. Evans

Fight Video: Liddell vs. Evans

2008-09-07T01:25:00.000-07:00

Rashad Evans beat the hell out of Chuck Liddell after sending his chin to the canvass. Its a 1-punch Knockout for Rashad Evans. Watch this video how he put Liddell to a goodnight sleep at UFC 88 at Philips Arena.

“The Iceman” was knocked out with a single overhand right in the 2nd round.

Predictions: Lidell vs. Evans

2008-09-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Fighting Championship treats the Deep South to a slew of solid battles this Saturday when UFC 88 “Breakthrough” invades Philips Arena in Atlanta. The event features fights in a variety of weight classes, anchored by a main event pairing former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell with unbeaten 205-pound contender Rashad Evans.

The majority of the MMA community favors “The Iceman,” though many agree the fight could swing either way

Sloan: Thanks for taking this debate on short notice, TJ. It seems as though my original opponent, the undefeated Mike Fridley, has grown too high and mighty to put his glossy GSD record on the line. Funny, considering he’s the one who called me out.

While I hope Chuck Liddell (Pictures)/Rashad Evans turns into a rousing affair, I’m confident in my pick. When the fight was announced, my gut instinct told me to side with Liddell (21-5), and though my brain cautioned me to think this out thoroughly, my belly urged me to stick with my original pick.

Having said that, it’s with great confidence that I predict your boy, Evans (11-0-1), will get iced in the third round. But it will not be easy for Liddell.

I’ve touted Evans as a future champion since before he impersonated Adam Vinatieri and booted Sean Salmon’s dome through the uprights. Alongside that brazen call -- and tons of hate mail -- I stressed that it would be quite some time before Evans was ready to shoulder that mantle. He was shaky against Tito Ortiz and barely edged Michael Bisping, who has since dropped to the middleweight division.

Evans has all the tools necessary to topple Liddell: raw athleticism, speed, good takedowns, strong wrestling and underappreciated striking. He’s also a disciple of one of the best teams in MMA -- Jackson’s Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, N.M. Those traits, along with his youth and Liddell’s aging frame, make Evans a great underdog pick. I just don’t see it unfolding in his favor.

It all boils down to a few critical intangibles. Liddell makes up for his shortcomings in two crucial categories -- experience against elite competition on the big stage and knockout power. Sure, Evans stiffened Salmon with his best Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic impersonation, but Liddell has made a career out of highlight finishes -- Ortiz (twice), Randy Couture (twice), Renato “Babalu” Sobral (twice), Kevin Randleman, the list goes on and on.

When Evans finds it nearly impossible to keep Liddell on his back, the pressure of competing in the most important fight of his life will have already taken its toll. His stamina will be depleted, his backup plans will have failed and, come midway through the third round, Evans will try one last takedown in an attempt to seal the deal in a close fight. Misfortune will greet him when he tries to set up the shot with strikes and his fatigued body overcommits. Liddell will pull the pin, the grenade will detonate and, with one right hand, the fight will be over.

Afterwards, Liddell can focus solely on regaining the light heavyweight championship, which he will attempt to do against Forrest Griffin sometime in 2009, probably in February.

Preview: Liddell needs to win to earn a title shot

2008-09-05T09:38:00.000-07:00

The fact that Chuck Liddell is likely a victory away from getting another crack at the UFC's light heavyweight title is testament to how quickly the competitive landscape in MMA can change.

Last September, talk of retirement was swirling around Liddell, who had just dropped his second straight fight -- a split decision to Keith Jardine at UFC 76. The 38-year-old former champion said after the defeat that he needed to "figure out" what his next step would be in the wake of the stunning defeat.

Liddell then went out just three months later and turned in a performance that turned back the clock. He looked like "The Iceman" of old in a stand-and-trade shootout victory over longtime nemesis Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79.

As Liddell prepares to headline UFC 88 against Rashad Evans at Philips Arena Saturday in Atlanta, the veteran bomber appears to be a win away from earning a shot at the 205-pound belt he owned for a two-year stretch between 2005 and 2007.

"It don't take much to motivate me for a fight," Liddell said. "But the big thing is, I'm motivated to get the title back and end my career on a streak of wins. That's the way I want to do it."

Liddell (21-5 MMA, 16-4 UFC) says he's fully recovered from the nasty hamstring injury that forced him from the UFC 85 main event against Evans in June. While Liddell is already a lock for the UFC Hall of Fame, he never seriously considered retirement last year and believes he has another two to four years left in the fight game.

In sizing up his UFC 88 opposition, Liddell says Evans' best attribute is that he always finds a way to win.

The 28-year-old former Michigan State wrestler hasn't always looked impressive in the octagon, but it's hard to argue with the results. He has yet to taste UFC defeat and is coming off a split-decision victory over Michael Bisping at UFC 78 this past November.

Evans (11-0-1 MMA, 6-0-1 UFC) will need to demonstrate that his improving standup game can withstand "The Iceman's" heat. Evans was tentative the last time he was in against a big-name fighter, and while it didn't lead to a loss, Evans could have avoided the draw against Tito Ortiz at UFC 73 had he been more aggressive.

He should handle the pressure of the spotlight better this time around, and it helps to have Greg Jackson drawing up the fight plan. Jackson's blueprint for Jardine kept Liddell off-balance and was a difference-maker in that bout. Evans is a different fighter, but he can still gleam some wisdom from Jardine's approach.

Preview UFC 88: Liddell vs. Evans

2008-09-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

In his first fight since a stunning victory over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79, UFC legend Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell is back to face undefeated light heavyweight contender Rashad "Sugar" Evans. Will Evans plow through Liddell to jump to the top of the 205-lb. rankings? Or will Liddell successfully continue his crusade to regain the UFC Light Heavyweight Title?