UFC 88 Recap and final thoughts
by Jesse Holland on Sep 7, 2008 4:18 AM EDT
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After years of racking up highlight-reel knockouts, Chuck "The Iced-man" Liddell finally knows what it feels like to be someone else's stepping stone. It's safe to say the main event at UFC 88: "Breakthrough" at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia provided the most shocking upset of the year.
And perhaps the most brutal since Mirko Cro Cop was nearly decapitated by Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70.
For those of you just joining us, Rashad Evans delivered three cases of unconscious to Chuck Liddell's doorstep nearly two minutes into the second round.
If you're sitting there shaking your head, don't worry. I can hardly believe it myself.
Had someone told me during The Ultimate Fighter 2 that both Keith Jardine and Rashad Evans would go on to defeat the once-invincible Liddell, I would have had them taken away by burly men in little white coats.
But it's time to face facts, there is a changing of the guard in the UFC. It's a new generation of fighters who are now making their mark - whether we're ready for it or not.
Chuck certainly wasn't.
Over the next few days there will be a lot of speculation as to why Chuck came up short against a fighter he was picked to beat. In my own personal opinion, I thought Chuck looked his age. Maybe a step slower. Perhaps another inch in the waistline.
Still gifted? Of course. Still capable of knocking out anyone? You bet.
But on Saturday night he got caught against a young and hungry fighter who truly believed he could pull off the upset.
And for the haters who call it a lucky punch, try to be gracious in defeat. It wasn't a blind haymaker or a last minute swing for the fences ala Leben/Martin. Chuck and Rashad were exchanging in a round that up until that point was being won by Evans.
"Sugar" has not only proven that he belongs in title contention, but that his dancing is as spastic as those robotic mannequin legs that perform on a loop in Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" video.
And speaking of rockets, Nate Marquardt was firing some nasty missiles at the head of Martin Kampmann. I figured "The Great" would be mediocre for awhile after the disappointing loss to Thales Leites at UFC 85 but in contrast he looked better than ever.
And credit "The Hitman" for his Teflon chin. I knew he could take a beating but Marquardt really had to earn the stoppage in that one.
Another person that earned something was Matt Brown when he took my respect with an impressive display of grit and determination against undefeated Dong Hyun Kim. I first saw a great deal of Post-TUF improvement in his fight against Matt Arroyo at last June's TUF finale and now even more so here.
I know there are people going crazy over the decision but I had it 29-28 with "Stun Gun" winning rounds one and three. No matter, Brown will be back and if he continues to bring that intensity and stubbornness with him he'll be racking up the W's in no time.
And since we're on the topic of stubbornness, what's the deal Mr. Hamill? Like Sherk at UFC 84, you took your most valuable asset and left it in the locker room come fight time.
Late in the second round and into the third when you're exhausted and wobbly from getting kicked in the legs I can understand why a wrestler would abandon the takedown. But round one? I'd really like to know what the strategy was in the Hamill camp prior to the fight.
How many shots to the face and body does it take before you decide "Hey, maybe the stand-up isn't working out for me"? Unless the cut on Franklin's eye gave him a false sense of confidence.
And who else among us was praying they wouldn't stop the fight when officials examined the Franklin Flap?
So "Ace" is now back at 205lbs for the first time since he fought Ken Shamrock in 2005 and I was surprised at how small he looked. I suppose all that time walking around as a giant middleweight had me expecting more of the same. Even Franklin conceded that he needed more weight to keep from getting pushed around.
He also appears to have conceded to some kind of weird 'happy cult'. Aside from that sort of glazed-over, Marshall Applewhite expression, what was with all the smiling and blowing kisses between rounds?
And his post-fight interview sounded like the intro to a kids show on PBS.
Anyway, Rich got his feet wet at light-heavyweight, how about that rematch with Lyoto Machida? Or a showdown with Dan Henderson?
Hendo may not have won 'fight of the night' (that honor went to Pellegrino and Tavares), but hot damn that was a pretty exciting second round highlighted by a brutal Palhares slam.
A cautious but purposeful approach kept Henderson out of trouble for most of the fight but let's face it: Palhares is the real deal when it comes to grappling and if he can stop kicking like he's Jean-Claude Van Damme and start stringing together some real combos, he'll be nearly unstoppable.
Overall it was a good, but not great event. My head is still buzzing from the Liddell KO and I really felt the absence of the Yoshida and Parisyan fight.
What say you?
For complete blow-by-blow coverage of UFC 88 click here.
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Why “wow”? Why on earth is anyone shocked? I’ve been saying for weeks: "How can you make a guy who is 38 and lost 2 of his last 3 fights a 3-1 favorite over an undefeated stud like Evans?"
How can anyone be surprised? How on earth is this an upset?
by John on Sep 7, 2008 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Um John.. Have you ever been wrong about anything in your life? Judging from the tone of your posts, you believe you are God’s gift to MMA blogs.
by Spider Rulz on Sep 7, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL…no really not just typing it but really LOL
by Chadx23 on Sep 7, 2008 5:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Even if this wasn’t surprising to you John it doesnt mean it wasnt to other people. The MMA world does not revolve around your posts.
by RiverHorrow on Sep 7, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Spider, that’s a different John. The John you’re thinking of goes lowercase.
by PW on Sep 7, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
speaking of john, i wonder what he thinks about that split decision win for kim… not quite the result you had expected eh?
by brendan on Sep 7, 2008 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
The reason everyone is surprised is because 95% of people gave Rashad a 0% of winning…which is ridiculous. Rashad came to fight and was more focused than we have ever seen him. He was calm and fought the smart fight. He had plenty of time to prepare for this and made the most of that time and it’s not like Chuck is an unpredictable fighter…unorthodox maybe…but you know what you’re getting from him. Everyone counted Rashad out just like they did to Forrest and now they are going to fight for the belt…who would have predicted that one?
by Buster Bluth on Sep 7, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
even the guys that picked rashad to win, couldnt have thought it would go down the way it did. a 1 punch ko of chuck and their not surprised? i aint buyin it.
by b.w. on Sep 7, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions
HAAA….
I am not one to toot my own horn by approx. a month ago, when everyone was saying they couldn’t wait to see Evans get his face shamsed in, I said…" DON’T SLEEP ON EVANS!!" I gave all kinds of reasons why I thought he had a great shot in this fight and this is no suprise to me at all. Forrest better watch out!
by Drew on Sep 7, 2008 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
how about.. after watching his last fight with michael bisping or even the one before that with tito, who would expect him to ko chuck like that in the 2nd round?
you expected him to ko chuck like that after winning a boring split decision over a 205lb bisping?
by AzCombat on Sep 7, 2008 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Rashad Evens got straight up LUCKY. Out of every puch he threw maybe 2 landed, which is sad. One being the knock out. Yes all it takes is one but looking at the stats it was a lucky shot. We all saw what happened when he got hit and had to dance it off, we all know that hurt. I think he is a young fighter but defiantly not talented enough in the world of MMA. I dont think Chuck is that great either but his stand up game and able to throw a punch to knock you back to your child hood doesn’t hurt. I also think he is at that age where he needs to start coaching and bringing his guys up in the ranks. Once you get knocked out its easier the next time and the time after that.
by Ross on Sep 7, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Ahhhh,
Dry your eyes…
Don’t cry, Chuck will be back!
by OJR on Sep 8, 2008 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve called this since the fight was announced in late April….in fact I said Rashad would break Chuck in half…I hate to say this but Rashad is the Roy Jones of MMA. He will have 2-3 boring fights then knock someone’s head off, 2-3 boring fights, then knock someone’s head off. I will say it one more time, going into the fight Chuck hasn’t scored a KO in his 3 fights and looked good only against Wandy who stood right in front of him. Rashad has speed, power and great foot work fighting a guy who is older and alot slower, this equals the younger fighter winning 9 out of 10 times.
Franklin vs Wandy for December is my pick
Hendo didn’t really do alot in a fight that may have been one of the dullest fights ever!!!!!!!
by Robert on Sep 7, 2008 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
If you watch how cocky Rashad was, it was as if he was the only one who knew all along how this fight was going to end. Why else would you twist your nipples in the Iceman’s face like that? Good final thought, Jesse.
by RedDog on Sep 7, 2008 4:30 AM EDT reply actions
I am not going to lie, I was very upset at how that fight ended. It was just upsetting to see Chuck get knocked out like that. Chuck was smart for fighting with the standup, but he should have stayed in his comfort zone with counter striking Rashad. I immediately noticed that Rashad was trying to bait Chuck into doing so about 2 minutes into the first round. When I saw that Chuck fell for it, I just kept my fingers crossed. I am a fan of Rashads, but I really want to see Chuck get the belt back. Don’t ask em why.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:17 AM EDT up reply actions
I was going back and forth on who I wanted to win because I like both of them. I was shocked to see it happen like that. I know what you mean about being upset…I think it’s because it’s hard to see the end of an era.
by RedDog on Sep 7, 2008 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions
I think your right. It’s always cool to see a former champion make a comeback. I was also upset by seeing Matt Hughes lose as well, but it wasn’t as bad as this. Probably because Chuck looked as if he was dead on the ground. That was like when Rashad knocked out Sean Salmon.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you talking about right after the knock out? He was doing a “George Jefferson” having a heart attack routine. I understand why you may have taken offense, but I think it was something more in reaction to how deafening the silence in the crowd was and how shocked EVERYONE was. I mean Hamill said he was going to shock the world, he didn’t- Evans truly did. Even if you thought Evans was going to win- no one saw THAT coming. If he knew he had it in him- good for him and his team because no one else in the world did.
by DSmith on Sep 7, 2008 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree D, I said Evens would win this fight and alot or people told me I didn’t know SHIT!!!! I did not see that result comming. I did want to see him get beat up for nipple thing. I never want to see that again.
by iagoof22 on Sep 7, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
the nipple thing wasn’t an insult to liddell. if you watch the last gsp fight he did a similar thing. they are both from the same camp and im sure it was something superstitious.
by katch22 on Sep 7, 2008 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions
And I told him to beat on HEndo. He just won’t listen and keeps on ridin’ on that PAlhares hype… But I really was shocked about that Rashad KO! I mean, who the fu*k was expectin’ that sh!t. Plus I really didn’t appreciate very much the showboatin’ of Evans. Just pisses me off. Hope he gets KTFO too by one of the other 205’s. I would really like it if he would face Thiago Silva. Thiago would slit his throat!!
by TheNegation on Sep 7, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I said it once and got Gawked at… but I’ll say it again! Chuck Liddel is the Gate Keeper for the 205’s. Rashad may move up now that he has passed the Gate.
by reldeed on Sep 7, 2008 4:31 AM EDT reply actions
You got gawked because he is a long way from a gatekeeper. He would still knock the crap out of guys like Hamill and Franklin, who also fought tonight, and in his last fight he defeated Wandy.
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 5:46 AM EDT up reply actions
you know somehow i think you has said the same thing about chuck KTFO’ing evans. he beat wandy only because wandy chased him…chuck counter style is so telegraphed now. hamill probably but he is green..your craz and sorry for using hat comparison…as for franklin…your wrong there as well. Franklin is WAYYYYY too smart of a fighter to fall for chucks outdated setups. Franklin would bait him in same as jardine…who no won thought stood a chance againts lidell and evans as well. let face it KO power alon wont get wins anymore…a gameplan will always prevail when you execute it right. if that were the case houston alexander would be on a tear…but he is too easy to telegraph now.
by santiago69us on Sep 7, 2008 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions
that’s right… because they aren’t ready for a title shot @ 205… Hence the Gate keeper label.
by reldeed on Sep 7, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
That was very surprising to see Chuck get knocked out like that. I couldn’t believe what I had seen. Rashad looked incredible out there. It was like we were seeing a new fighter.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 4:31 AM EDT reply actions
The way he moved his feet, he moved like a butterfly and stung like a bee.
by Lycan on Sep 7, 2008 5:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah for the first time – now I don’t calling him (eh hem cough) sugar.
by DSmith on Sep 7, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions
More like float like a butterfly, sting like a sledgehammer.
by Dan on Sep 8, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
For me chuck did look old, his gutt is bigger, his abs are fading, It’s rare to find someone who looks great at the older ages, but i think Hendo and Randy are the rare ones.
For Hammil to not got for takedowns early was dumb, You know Fraklin is a world class striker, and you are an OLYMPIC LEVEL WRESTLER, Yet you try to stand with him? I’m glad becuase Rish is one of my Favorite fighters, but still, fight with your strengths!
I thought that matt brown got robbed, the only thing “STUNGUN” did was get his back in round one, and the pounding at the end of the 3rd. I thought it was a BS Decision.
Hendo Beat Phalares Perfectly, John said he would get taken down at will, And I told him he wouldn’t becuase he’s an OLYMPIC LEVEL WRESTLER, and I was right, He looked great, and stuck to his GP. Why best against one of your favorite fighters who’s a beast?
by Chase on Sep 7, 2008 4:34 AM EDT reply actions
I agree with Jesse about the fight with Matt Brown. He lost rounds 1 and 3. It only looked as if he had won because he was so dominant in round 2.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Because Until last night I had not seen the grit, fury and aggression that Hendo had become so famous for in Pride….Last night, it was back and it was great to see.
Palhares is a tough SOB. His chin withstood some Bombs…THat slam was awesome. He is just some solid boxing away for being a PROBLEM for middleweights around the world. No shame in that loss!
Props to Matt Brown also, who fought my boy Stun Gun like a CHAMP! Much respect to Brown, and YES he is making some real improvement since the show.
Hammil is a stuborn idiot. No surprise that Franklin picked him apart.
Props to Rashad, I didnt know he had that kind of power in him.
by john on Sep 7, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Rashad is now the next in line for the title, as far as Dana is concerned.
by Mike Smith on Sep 7, 2008 4:36 AM EDT reply actions
He never said next, he said he will get one, witch means after he fights someone else and beats them.
by Chase on Sep 7, 2008 4:43 AM EDT up reply actions
chucks afraid of black fighters thats why.the same thing they made mma because white guys are afraid of black guys..plain and simple
by chuck on Sep 7, 2008 4:48 AM EDT reply actions
haha wow. Chuck didn’t seem too fearful of Kevin Randleman or Vernon White. Good call though buddy. Tell Kimbo I said what’s up.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, thats it. Chuck was afraid of him. Black people just scare the crap out of us poor white folk.
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 5:49 AM EDT up reply actions
What a jerk off comment…. got play in traffic
by BigDaddyDahl on Sep 7, 2008 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions
lol by far the dumbest observation in MMA thus far.
by c-war on Sep 7, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
This is gonna sound really gay question.. but wtf is up with the Nipple twisting? and funny thing is GSP did the EXACT same thing against Fitch…wtf is that all about
and wow I for one really thought that chuck would knock out Rashad… Forrest VS Rashad and i can see it selling PPV TUF winner vs TUF Winner..
by Ricky on Sep 7, 2008 4:49 AM EDT reply actions
How dare you question the tactical genius and very secret methods of the Jackson camp! I said last night in the fight post that maybe Huerta didn’t get the memo during his training camp and that’s why he lost. I think it’s creepy and I don’t want to see a guy moisten and play with his nipples right before a fight, but I guess if it’s working I have no choice but to keep my mouth shut (shaking my head* shrugging my shoulders*).
by DSmith on Sep 7, 2008 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Thinipple twisting is what I was wondering about. I think Chuck was so distracted with the mental image of Rashad twisting his nipples that he could not get his head back in the fight and got KO’d. I know the image haunted me all night.
As far as the MAtt Brown fight goes that is what happens when you let the judges finish your fight. I thought Kim won the fight personally. He clearly won the first and soldified a close third with that take down near the end of the fight. Matt Brown only decisevely won the second. So why is everyone suprised?
I was super impressed with MArquardt. Kampman has excellent standup and the Dane was owned.
Rich Frankling looked great although he looked physically a little soft. I was just as suprised as everyone else that Hammil did not go for the takedown. Hammil did nothing to cover the gu or check the leg kicks, what the hell was he thinking. Deafness is not stupidity and why was his corner not pushing him to go in for the takedown. That liver kick was so brutal. I couldn’t believe he did not try to cover up. He got away with it when he was fighting guys like Bisping but you wont get away with thta when you are fighting elite fighters…
I was a little upset with Dan Hendersons fight. 3 fightback in the UFC and the third fight he did not push the pace. I mean I know he was stalking 90% of the fight but he really seems a little gun shy.
by Da Monkey on Sep 7, 2008 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually think when the fighters come out of the warm dressing room, they find it cool standing in the cage during the announcements and their nipples harden. They lick their fingers and squeeze them a bit to warm them up.
I’m just fighting to justify the insanity of such disturbing behavior by these tuffies…..
by DJ on Sep 7, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
…Now I gotta go empty my office wastecan and try to not drip any puke on the carpet along the way. Thanks, DJ.
by SkeletonKey on Sep 7, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
F Rashad Evans and the antics he displayed following the fight, truly without class! I know MMA and I know fighters, and EVANS proved to me he is not about either!
by holmz on Sep 7, 2008 4:55 AM EDT reply actions
He celebrated proving everyone wrong in a devastating fashion. Would you have preferred him to spread his arms out and run around the octagon screaming at the top of his lungs?
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Or running over to his opponent, wiping then licking the blood off his hands? Or running out of the arena right after the knock out. He didn’t to a dig a grave routine either. If he wants to do a little George Jefferson heart attack dance let him. He shocked the hell of me and gave me a heart attack. If anything he was making fun the fan reaction- not belittling Chuck.
by DSmith on Sep 7, 2008 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions
I think the only people who complain about post-fight celebrations are the people who are pissed off because either their favorite fighter got KTFO or they lost a ton of cash.
by PW on Sep 7, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
if i was rashad evans i’d b ashamed of my behaviour. He’s learnt nothing from TUF 2 when matt hughes called him out on the idiotic showboating. Don’t get me wrong i applaud the KO and think that this is the end for Chuck (he’s too much of a legend to be peoples highlight reels).
I don’t think Rashad has earnt a title shot, he should fight one more top level LHW like Rampage, Wandy, Shogun or Machida (altho that fight would be a snoozefest).
by Jakizzle on Sep 7, 2008 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions
He just KO’ed Chuck who just beat the piss out of Wandy. Where the hell have you been? He is undefeated…stop hating. He celebrated because he know how big of an underdog he was and that he shocked the world. He never displayed any disrespect to Chuck throughout any stage of the fight or post fight. I hope Chuck is OK and hopefully the Shogun fight happens next for him.
by halljam2 on Sep 7, 2008 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
He celebrated sure….but his post fight with Joe was very respectful and humble. Get over it Holmz….Nobody is buying that crap.
by Borocker on Sep 7, 2008 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he should have did the “rope em Cowboy” like Brock Lessner does,
by Rickrude on Sep 7, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Im in total disbelief right now. That was a brutal ko. The only thing that would shock me more is if that happen to anderson against cote.
by alex on Sep 7, 2008 5:01 AM EDT reply actions
Everyone was. I found myself holding my breath just sitting on the couch. The crowd was in total disbelief – totally stunned. It was like a funeral…. perhaps it sort of was.
by DJ on Sep 7, 2008 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
couldnt agree more, i was sitting there completely in stunned utter disbelief for a good 15 minutes after that happened.
by rhys on Sep 7, 2008 5:12 AM EDT reply actions
ditto. I could have seen Evans beating him with the decision but not by a knockout…..and such a brutal one at that. My girlfriend kept trying to talk to me afterwards and I was just speechless haha. She hadn’t realized the magnitude of what had just happened. I am still in shock. Congrats to Rashad..
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:22 AM EDT up reply actions
lol that happned to me as well….i was just sitting there fuming with no words while other people around didnt get it….it was like a dream or something…I mean wtf? 3 rounds with Wanderlei and Chuck doesnt get KO’d or even TKO’d but Fing Rashad KO’s Chuck worse than anyone has ever done before??? Rampage didnt even lay Chuck out that bad! Chuck was OUT!! I think he ought to change camps if he thinks he can still fight for another year or two, but hes hard headed and I dont see him leaving Hackelman after 10-15 years? He’ll be back in the ring, I can tell after watching the post fight press conference he will be back, but as a HUGE Chuck fan, I wont expect him to win anymore…
by Chadx23 on Sep 7, 2008 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Yh, my friends were like “O, nice knockout”, they are relativly new to the sport. I just sat there, in shock, I wanted Rashad to win, but I couldnt really celebrate, I was just so damn shocked.
by Adam on Sep 7, 2008 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I keep saying I do not think There has ever been a one punch KO that Brutal. How often do you see he ref. inbetween before the fighter even hit the ground? I ‘ve seen brutal kick KO’s but never ever a pne punch KO like that.
by Da Monkey on Sep 7, 2008 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
you know it’s funny i had the same reaction when she tried talking to me. j/k
…….sorry i couldn’t resist
by katch22 on Sep 7, 2008 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
evans proved to everyone who counted him out. and don’t lie, 80 percent of mma fans were going for chuck. THANK GOD we’re always with the underdogs and won some greens. chee hee! good luck on the next fight. evans definitely deserves a title shot! and yes, will be putting more greens on him as well. have a WONDERFUL DAY everyone! haha.
by boardRIDER on Sep 7, 2008 5:19 AM EDT reply actions
Always with the underdogs and won some greens, eh? How’d you do with Hendo and Franklins victorys? haha.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:23 AM EDT up reply actions
JESSE,
How come the little box on the right side of the screen that states what comments have recently been posted is no longer there? I kind of use it as a point of reference to find where the talk is going on haha.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:30 AM EDT reply actions
Rashad didn’t take much punishment. Maybe he can be the replacement to fight Lyoto Machida? Winner gets a title shot?
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:34 AM EDT reply actions
Never happen, but I would go with Machida. It would have the potential to be a snooze fest though.
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 5:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d like to see it happen. They are both undefeated so it still holds that idea of the two undefeated fighters going at it.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 5:59 AM EDT up reply actions
I’d much rather see Machida vs Silva, or Evans vs Silva (Damn you Thiago!!! ggrrrr)
by DSmith on Sep 7, 2008 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions
WOW. What a bunch of sore guys. Chuck will be the first to admtit he fucked up?, But, yes everyone still has to make excuses for him. Chuck went flying into the 2nd round thinking Rashad was already hurt and Chcuk paid for it by getting KO’d. It happens peeps, its part of MMA, anything can happen. No one here, not even Mania, can defend that loss for Chuck. Rashad completely PWNT Chuck, and theres no IF, Ands, or butts about it!…
by ntvmma on Sep 7, 2008 5:48 AM EDT reply actions
I have read lots of people say they were/are shocked. But haven’t heard one ‘excuse’ made in Chuck’s defense. I think everyone recognizes that Chuck got put to sleep fair and square. We’re all just suprised, anyone saying they saw that KO coming is full of it. You’re arguing against a point no one is making.
by MongoMan on Sep 7, 2008 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
to me the chuck loss feels like it would if your favorite sports team or athlete was moving cities / retiring and this fight was the last home game (the one where you really feel the end… but that they still have a couple road games left to give you that empty “they’re playing, but for what” sense….
by san shouer on Sep 7, 2008 5:48 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, I know exactly what you are saying because I am a huge Chuck fan, and a Yankees fan as well. haha. That is how I feel about the Yankees finishing this last season in the house that Ruth built.
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 5:56 AM EDT up reply actions
NEXT FOR THE TITLE SHOT AGAINTS FORREST GIFFING WILL BE RASHAD EVANS = DANA WHITE WORDS THIS MORNING + BREAKING NEWS RAMPAGE JACKSON VS LYOTO MACHIDA.
by HALEXTITO on Sep 7, 2008 5:52 AM EDT reply actions
Hope you are right about Jackson/ Machida, but I thought Jackson was gonna face Wandy?
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 5:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually I saw the same about Evans fighting Forrest on MMAJacked, but I sent it to Mania to maybe put it in. Guess I was not the only one to see it. haha
by naturalshadow on Sep 7, 2008 6:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I figured that the Evans vs Griffin info was true, but I haven’t heard about Lyoto vs Jackson.
by RyanHobbs on Sep 7, 2008 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions
The thing is that Rashad wasn’t feeling Chuck’s punches so he wasn’t scared going into the 2nd round, he knew he could exchange and go at it with Chuck and when they were going at it Chuck had his hands down low like always so it’s perfect, it’s just a matter of throwing the (right punch) and not backing out like Tito and others when they were in exchanges with Chuck.. I see Chuck getting tagged many times in every fight these days Tito tagged him but he was too scared to throw any power punches, it’s great to see someone throw an overhand right like that, more fighters should learn to do that..
by RoB on Sep 7, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions
Chuck liddell looked like a fraigle old man out there! hands low chin in the air!
Imagine wot anderson silva wud do to him
by braveheart on Sep 7, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions
I called it perfectly after the fight the way to beat chuck is to get him toa ttack you rather then attack him. Rashad was trying to get Chuck to go after him to he could counter punch the counter puncher. Notice when he got knocked out it was after the same punch he threw at rampage. A left hook to the body/ Both Rampage and Rashad came over the and down he went.
by staples on Sep 7, 2008 9:28 AM EDT reply actions
Rampage threw a right hook, Rashad threw and overhand right…Chuck threw a left lower body punch at Rampage and a right uppercut to Rashad
by Chadx23 on Sep 7, 2008 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Excellent article Mania! I agree with you completely.
by blackBEERd on Sep 7, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions
Chucks Hands Were Way Down, By His Waist. He Needs To Change His Game Plan. His Old Style Might Have Worked Before, But With The New Breed Of Fighters He Needs To Evolve As Well.
FACT:
1) Jardine dropped Chuck with a right for a sec.
2) Rampage knocked out Chuck with a looping Right.
3) Last night….Rashad knocked out Chuck with a overhand right.
See the pattern here….Chuck really needs to study his opponents, and what he’s doing
wrong.
“Hands Up, Chin Down”, Couldn’t Be More True For Chuck
by jastar7 on Sep 7, 2008 10:19 AM EDT reply actions
100% agree. It is painful watching him drop his hands.
Prediction: Chuck heads over to Randy’s camp to learn how to be an effective fighter over the age of 36.
by BobC on Sep 7, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
He should train with Rampage because Rampage has the best boxing defense in the LHW division and Chuck has horrible defense that’s why Rampage always beats him..
by RoB on Sep 7, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Well I was wrong about Hamill. I still think he could have ko’ed Rich…if he had ever connected with a good punch. He did not seem to have a gameplan, and Rich made him pay.
by theCloser on Sep 7, 2008 10:33 AM EDT reply actions
you can say that about anyone though.
i wasn’t suprised he stood up the whole fight…that’s what he did on the tv show too when he had NO stand up game. come to think of it, he’s done that for every fight he’s had.
this was truly the one fight where i had no doubt in my mind who the winner was going to be.
by katch22 on Sep 7, 2008 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Can anyone tell me the name of the song Matt Hamill walked to the ring to last night?
by Eric on Sep 7, 2008 11:31 AM EDT reply actions
Great comment by Jaster up there.
That knockout was quick, powerful and surprising. It’s one reason to love MMA.
Rob Dib
http://www.break-your-face.com
by Rob Dib on Sep 7, 2008 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
Great comment by Rob Dib up there.
That comment was lame, stupid, and only served the purpose of advertising his website. It’s one reason to not go to his website.
Ryan Hobbs
www.myspace.com/randeproject
by RyanHobbs on Sep 8, 2008 3:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Rashad hasn’t improved. It’s Chuck’s own fault for losing that fight. I think any of us on this message board could of knocked out Chuck with his hands hanging down that low. Rashad for a title shot?? Give me a break there is guys out there with a more deserving shot at the title. Give Machida/Silva a shot at the title and give Rashad either Sok, Rampage, or Wand.
Rich Franklin got smashed up tonight by someone he considers not to 10 lol. Only proves my point that Rich is a gate keeper and not A-level competition.
Dan Henderson is the man. Give him Nate the Great, so I can see Marquardt crushed.
by xxbaxx816 on Sep 7, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions
I bet there’d be a huge shit-storm right now if Tavares had somehow stopped the fight sometime after the tap. You could see in replay that he was on his way in to stop the fight, so he obviously saw the tap. Tavares stopped taping before Lavigne got in there, but that shouldn’t matter: it’s the same thing that happened to CB Dolloway, except the ref (Herb Dean?) followed through on stopping the fight.
by Joe Smith on Sep 7, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions
Just Typical. Look at all the fair weather clowns jumping off the Chuck bandwagon again.
by Slamcity on Sep 7, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions
dido on chuck needing to analize his fights he has to change his game plan every fight. same as matt hughes its what all the up and comers are doing to be succesfull. i wonder what chuck and matt could do if they DID spend some time with matt humm and randy couture. i think they are both still top level fighters they just need dif squads theyve b come stagnit. old game plans just dont work n e more!
by birddog on Sep 7, 2008 3:22 PM EDT reply actions
i was there. and i gotta sa it was amazing.even though i like chuck that knockout was an awesome ending to the night
by tapps on Sep 7, 2008 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
Oh you poor sop, Liddel, you must have the “john Garfield” blues. You must be screaming deep within your pitiful self. To think that you were invinsible against the likes of a quiet man, Rashad Evans. He just beat your sorry ass and many more will do the same to you when you ever get the courage to return to the “old octagon” cage. I knew when the man, Keith Jardine beat your arse, you were drinking “tear beers” and on the down-side of life. Hey, liddell, please answer the “reality” door, it’s a knocking you fool.
by merryweather on Sep 7, 2008 8:35 PM EDT reply actions
Can’t believe chuck lost like that, wow. For the most part rashad isn’t inpressive but once in a while he pulls a samon or this.
by nathan on Sep 7, 2008 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
Awesome. I’m glad Chuck got done again. I’ve always said it – he’s a simple & predictable 1 trick pony. Now that everyone has wised up to his never-changing gameplan (counterpunch only & avoid the ground game) he’s done. His boxing defense has never been good, and he’s getting too old to revamp his game.
And to the people who say Rashad got a lucky shot – boo-hoo: that’s how Liddell won his previous fights. Don’t tell me it’s only skill when it’s Chuck dishing it out. pfft. Anyway, I’m not an Evans fan, either. I’d like to see a Griffin-Rampage rematch next, and Evans against Machida/Silva.
by Kranium on Sep 8, 2008 2:39 AM EDT reply actions
I can sum it up in two words Greg Jackson!!!!!!
by Glen McCoy on Sep 8, 2008 1:09 PM EDT reply actions
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