Chuck Liddell and Charles 'Mask' Lewis to be inducted into UFC Hall of Fame this weekend
by MMAmania.com on Jul 6, 2009 11:31 PM EDT
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Former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and late TapouT founder, Charles "Mask" Lewis, will be enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame during the fan expo at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Friday, July 10.
UFC President Dana White just broke the news in his latest Twitter update:
"Hey guys chuck liddell and charles "mask" lewis will be inducted into the ufc hall of fame at the ufc fan expo this friday at 630 p.m."
Liddell made his Octagon debut more than a decade ago, earning a decision victory over Noe Hernandez at UFC 17: "Redemption" back in 1998. During the next seven years, which included a quick trip overseas to try his hand in the Pride FC Middleweight Grand Prix in 2003, Liddell would rise to the top of the 205-pound food chain.
His trademark Mohawk, head tattoo and vicious knockouts catapulted him to rock star status inside the cage and outside of it seemingly overnight. And when he defeated Randy Couture at UFC 52: "Couture vs. Liddell 2" in April 2005, "The Iceman" became the face of the promotion, appealing to fans worldwide and helping elevate the sport into a whole new stratosphere.
The San Luis Obispo, Calif., native would defend his title four times over the next two years before running into Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 71: "Liddell vs. Jackson" in May 2007. Rampage -- who bounced Liddell out of the Pride FC tournament four years earlier -- scored a convincing first round technical knockout over Liddell.
It was widely believed at the time that Rampage simply had his number; however, Liddell would go onto lose three of his next four fights. His two most recent losses to Rashad Evans and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua were downright decisive, prompting White to prematurely announce that Liddell -- his long-time friend -- would retire from the sport.
Liddell recently countered that statement, claiming he would sit out until at least April 2010 to heal his brain and give him enough time to make a decision about his future. If he does decide to continue he would join Couture and Mark Coleman as active UFC Hall of Famers.
Also included in the ceremony will be a posthumous induction of Charles Lewis, who was killed in a tragic car accident in the early morning hours on March 11 of this year.
Known simply as "Mask" to his friends and fans in the mixed martial arts community, Lewis helped launch TapouT way back in 1997, with nothing more than a vision and a handful of merchandise — and enough gas in his van to follow fighters across the state of California to promote and sell his MMA-inspired brand of clothing.
Now his empire, along with Dan "Punkass" Caldwell and Timothy "Skyskrape" Katz, includes a reality TV show, a line of bottled water, an impressive stable of mixed martial arts fighters and of course its massive clothing line, which went from a few thousand dollars in sales back in the late 90’s to over $100 million in 2008.
His significance in the growth of mixed martial arts through brand awareness and fighter sponsorships cannot be overstated.
Liddell and Lewis will join five other distinguished members in the UFC Hall of Fame, including Couture, Coleman, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie.
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Another step towards pushin Chuckie into retirement…
by Stryker on Jul 6, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions
Chuck has already announced that he isn’t going to be making a decision util next year if he’s going to fight again or not. This might make it easier for him to retire but if he still has that fire in him to fight he will.
by Beaver on Jul 6, 2009 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Just because he is in the hall of fame it doesn’t mean that he will never fight again.
The problem is if Dana starts putting him in less of a spotlight he will not be able to pay him his usual salary for a fight that he is used to.
by Ca$z on Jul 7, 2009 5:26 AM EDT up reply actions
This is one time I’m very thankful that John was wrong. MJ is not getting into the hof by any means. Awesome that Mask is getting some recognition, both these men deserve to be in the hof without a doubt.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Jul 7, 2009 7:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Hopefully I was wrong! I dont want to see that Freak in the UFC hall of fame either. Unfortunately, UFC fans will probably have to sit through an MJ Tribute at UFC 100 which IMO is just STUPID!
I guess secretly attending a few UFC events makes you an AMBASSADOR to MMA! If you say so Dana!
I get that UFC 100 is Historic…but I dont get what the rush is to start inducting fighters into the hall of fame! I dont want to see another Shamrock situation. Shammy got inducted into the hall of faME, BUT CONTINUED TO FIGHT! Imo that is silly and pointless. Hall of fame thing, should be saved for when a fighter is truly hanging up his gloves for good. They should make a rue that states: Fighters wont even be considered for the hall of fame, after at least 2 years from his retirment date. Hall of fame ceremony is a fighters last HURRAH, and should be saved for when they are truly done fighting.
I dont think anyone would complain about MASK being inducted. He DESERVES it as much as any fighter.
When are we going to see Bas Rutten inducted into the UFC HOF?
Bas was the original Chuck LIddell, but more well rounded. Til this day, I am saddened that I never got a chance to see Bas vs. Chuck!
Let me ask you guys a question. NO right or wrong answer, just a matter of opinions:
WHO would win a fight between Bas (in his prime) vs. Chuck (in his Prime)?
I love Liddell as much as anyone, but I would think that Bas would have beaten chuck
by JOhn G on Jul 7, 2009 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought I saw him @ MEN for UFC70 coming out of one of the private boxes. All my buddys thought I was mad but I was sure at the time. They still rib me now saying Jacko would neverbe an MMA fan!
by MoonUK on Jul 7, 2009 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
WTF the expo ends at 5pm and the weightins start at 4pm west coast i guess i will stick around..
by mikeybear on Jul 7, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions
you can be in the hall of fame and still fight?? chuck will make the right choice for him when the time is right!! I can think of no better person to be awarded this at this memorable occasion!!
by mo on Jul 6, 2009 11:59 PM EDT reply actions
Randy is in the hall of fame and still competes in the UFC. So does Mark Coleman. I don’t really understand why Mask is being inducted. He wasn’t a fighter, was he? I understand that he was involved in the UFC and MMA from the beginning but I don’t see why that constitutes him being in the UFC hall of fame. Will Dana White be inducted years from now?
by RyanHobbs on Jul 7, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions
For sure he will. The UFC hall of fame will induct any person who had a major impact to their organizations growth and production.
by Beaver on Jul 7, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
In the NFL any other contributor such as a team owner or executive can be voted at any time for the Hall of Fame
by Beaver on Jul 7, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Was Mask a team owner or executive? Come on, I understand the sentiment but this just harms the legitimacy of the so called “UFC Hall of Fame”
by bryce on Jul 7, 2009 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
In a way, I kind of agree about Mask. It is sad that he died, but being part owner of a big sponsor is not exactly HOF material. I didn’t really think Evan Tanner deserved a posthumous entry, but I would certainly choose him over Mask.
by naturalshadow on Jul 7, 2009 3:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I agree, it is BS that Mask is getting in the HOF. They might as well put the ring girls in the hall of Fame next.Or maybe Shaq, because he has attended so many events.
by JRE on Jul 7, 2009 6:54 AM EDT up reply actions
give me a break, Mask being inducted into the hof is by far way more significant than a team owner being inducted. I don’t understand how you don’t think the man deserves to be there. He gives up and coming fighters a chance, he sponsors fighters, helps find them some training, he gets them off the streets and into gyms… the man is the start off of a lot of great fighters. Tapout has contributed greatly to the hof and I am personally happy that Dana choose to honor Mask.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Jul 7, 2009 7:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Back in the day, when Chuck was getting payed peanuts to fight, Mask used to let him sleep on his couch. Mask has helped so many fighters and really helped propel MMA and the UFC to where it is today. When Tapout was started, they were selling shit out of their car. They weren’t making money, but they had a passion. They believed in MMA and Mask deserves his induction.
by YouveGotGold on Jul 7, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Your argument would be valid for an MMA HOF. I thought he did alot for MMA, but what exactly did he do for the UFC? The fact that Tito Ortiz may never get in, yet Mask is getting inducted does tarnish the UFC HOF imho.
by lokie on Jul 7, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Tanner should defently be on the hall of fame !!
TANNER!!!!!!
by sean on Jul 7, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Tanner along with Mask would have been a more fitting combo. If Chuckie is gonna possibly return, that could have simply waited.
by Ertz on Jul 7, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
Forever WAR MASK!!!! and LIDDELL!!!!! Talk about an emotional class with him and chuck being inducted…They both made there marks in the game and I think this is the way chuck should go out, for his sake. Mask, all he wanted people to do is to never give up on something deep down you truly believe in…he never did ;)
by Drew C on Jul 7, 2009 12:51 AM EDT reply actions
i had a feeling mask would be and lidell makes a good choice next year will be matt hughes turn
by bryant on Jul 7, 2009 1:05 AM EDT reply actions
Mask into the hall of fame? Are you serious? In what league are mascots elected into there respective “sports” hall of fame?
by bryce on Jul 7, 2009 1:13 AM EDT reply actions
The San Diego Chicken has a shot at the baseball HOF, and he did way less for the sport than the Tapout guys. I still contend their little costume schtick is ridiculous, but their contributions to the sport are very noteworthy. Not to mention their contributions to weight room douchebags with huge arms and chests, barbed wire tattoos and skinny legs
by PW on Jul 7, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
Lewis like it or not did alot for mma and I belive it was a wise choice to induct him.
by NMX on Jul 7, 2009 1:33 AM EDT reply actions
More than say… Helio Gracie? Plenty more options for an inductee than the part-owner of a UFC sponsor? Why not Tanner? Or Don Frye?
by Belisarius on Jul 7, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Abbadi is a founding member of the Sandwich Wing of the UFC HOF.
by PW on Jul 7, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
redemption was the name of uc 97 not 17, oh well happy for liddell..
by guyverbob on Jul 7, 2009 1:41 AM EDT reply actions
its a tough call, mask was legendary and he stood for all thins mma, he encompassed the spirit of mma and he was close in the hearts of many fighters that are legends in the sport. all sports have a “builder” category, and i suppose mask fits right in that category.he clearly had an unparalleled pasion for mma as he sold t shirts outside of once lowly events to not only make a living, but to support the fighters by using the profits to presumably pay his way into many of these events. the ideals and convictions of the man we know as mask were admirable not only in mma but in any sport or walk of life for that matter. however, in my opinion he was fastracked into the hall which isnt necesarily right, considering theres many fighters, refs and countles others that merit serious consideration over mask. i dont mean disrespect to mask, but i think its obvious the induction is a result of his tragic death. i think its safe to say that in terms of builders there are far more qualified people to be inducted, like the men that trained and gave everything they have to the sport and left it all in the octagon, guys like hughes even tho im not a huge fan. it is what it is tho, and mask deserved to be there at some point, albeit not so soon.
by tank on Jul 7, 2009 2:16 AM EDT reply actions
lets be honest if tanner got hall of fame then it would be a farse!!! He hardly dominated at any time in his career and it would clearly be a sympathy vote which would just be wrong.
I guess the same could be said for Mask, although he has sponsored fighters and help put the sport where it is, but for me Tanner is a no no!
by mo on Jul 7, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions
Tight
I just met chuck for first time this past sat at cfs for my friends pro debut
He always been my fav fighter and he was really down to earth
I still hope to see him go out with a win
Mask?? I don’t mind him being inducted but maybe they should do a different sort of award or aknowledgement for him.
by phenomenal angel on Jul 7, 2009 2:20 AM EDT reply actions
not that chuck doesn’t deserve to be in the hall of fame but what about matt hughes? A few months back they did that poll on mma live and matt hughes love him or hate him won it by a landside vote…..and mask yes should be remembered in some way but lets not not go bending the rules…if you werent a fighter you dont get in the hall of fame..just my opinion….now let the hateing begin
by kapp1179 on Jul 7, 2009 6:33 AM EDT reply actions
I agree. But still don’t think chuck deserve it. There is other fighter that deserve it much more !!!
by sean on Jul 7, 2009 6:59 AM EDT up reply actions
IF he would not have died they would not be inducting him. If they are going to put mask in the HOF, they should also put Tanner. IMO!! Evan Tanner may not have been a dominant champion. But he was a former champion, and very dominant middlweight/lightheavy for many years.
by b-real on Jul 7, 2009 6:52 AM EDT reply actions
good post b-real….i still think hughes should be getting in first…IMO
by kapp1179 on Jul 7, 2009 6:56 AM EDT reply actions
they gonna have to many guys on the hall of fame!
why chuck and mask on the hall of fame? can’t understand it….
by sean on Jul 7, 2009 6:57 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah they should have put Hughes in there not fcking “mask” lol.
by Lester The Pimp on Jul 7, 2009 7:23 AM EDT reply actions
TITO should have been there way before Chuck. There are alot of haters out there but you have to admit he filled alot of seats and was there to help catapolt the UFC to the place it is today.
by Gmoney1 on Jul 7, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions
I am blown away that some of you even question that Chuck should be in there? He did it all. Obviously to say others deserve it over him? Umm maybe start watching the sport besides his last 5 fights ha ha. He is and was and always will be the biggest remembered name in mma. To ppl new or old to the sport, chuck is the name. I’m not saying Hughes shouldn’t be in. Of course he should be. But I’m sure this is just becuz Dana isn’t necessarily ready 4 Hughes to retire. And it sounds dumb but if I’m Hughes and you induct me this weekend, I start thinking ok so Dana plans on me being done asap. And I feel old. Just a thought. He will get in and prob does only have 2 or 3 fights left. So look for Hughes next year. As well mask if very debatable. Both sides of the arguement are valid. It definitely doesn’t taint the hof tho if u kno enough bout what he has done other then makin a t shirt lol. CHuCk 4EvER
by Daniel worby on Jul 7, 2009 9:32 AM EDT reply actions
Come on guys, as much as I’m a fan of Tito, we ALL know the REAL reason why he’s not in cough Dana cough. And the sad part is we may never see him in the HOF for that reason only….hopefully I’m wrong. Can you imagine the crowd reaction after the introduction of his name?!!!?!?!
by Drew C on Jul 7, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
Suprisingly enough, I think the crowd would cheer Tito greatly. His last fight against Machida was well known to everyone that it was his last fight in the UFC and you hardly heard a boo in the crowd…it was all cheers for Tito. I think that says alot about how even haters of his appreciate what he accomplished while in the UFC…….Dana should have taken note of that….but he won’t, unfortunately. It’s all about Dana, not the fighters remember.
by introvert on Jul 7, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly, I respect Dana as a businessman but he should know that Tito still has a huge fanbase and for that(among the obvious reasons) he should be inducted….
by Drew C on Jul 7, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
This is such bullshit…
1. Chuck isn’t retired yet, and will be fighting next year.
2. Mask gets in the UFC Hall Of Fame and Cesar Gracie isn’t? I guess one prerequisite for the HOF is makind Dana money before you can get in.
Does anyone else question why a guy selling t-shirts gets more respect from the UFC than a guy who put Gracie Jiu Jitsu and MMA on the map?
Unreal.
by introvert on Jul 7, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions
Wow introvert you have a hate on for the UFC and no offence it blinds your common sense. Fact is every sport has players the fans believe should make the Hall of Fame. Chuck is a huge reason why the UFC is were it is today, and the Mask had a huge impact helping the UFC market itself even when they losing money? With out a doubt they both deserve to be there for what they have done for the and in the UFC. And Royce Gracie is in the hall of Fame? For anyone to argue these two shouldn’t be in the UFC is belligerent stupidy.
by Puck Head on Jul 7, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
And Tito before either of these two? He attempted to humiliate a UFC owner and the UFC name infront of millions and he still trying! I think he’s a great fighter but his belligerent stupidity cost him.
by Puck Head on Jul 7, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
What about his partners why are they not in? What about Tanner at least he was middle weight champion. Chucks worthy, but come on he is going to fight again and there are plenty of guys just as deserving.
by Mike on Jul 7, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions
They are deserving no doubt and will be in the hall one day. Chuck and the Mask will be in now and even though Chuck is not retired I think his and success in the ring and help making the UFC what is today made it a easy pick for honoring The Iceman at it’s biggest and most significant event.
by Beaver on Jul 8, 2009 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions
why at a fan expo, cant Chuck get the “last” big Roar! from the fans at a event?
by MMA040 on Jul 7, 2009 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
Wow there is still ppl arguing that Chuck doesn’t deserve this? Watch a different sport cuz ur missing something if u think he shouldn’t be. Yikes. Of course tito should be in. But Dana hates him, but on the other hand he should put his hate aside and show respect for the fighter not the person he was. Maybe another year. Doesn’t matter if Chuck fights again or not. 2 of the other hofs still fight. So whaaaaatever. The iceman is the MOST deserved this year hands down
by Daniel worby on Jul 8, 2009 9:59 AM EDT reply actions
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