That's a wrap.
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion, hall-of-fame inductee and dancer with the stars, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, has officially retired from the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA).
But he's not leaving the cage empty handed.
UFC President Dana White today announced that Liddell has accepted an executive position within the world's largest fight promotion, becoming the new UFC Vice President of Business Development.
In short, the fighter who was so instrumental in helping to grow the UFC brand will continue to do so.
Liddell (21-9) 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 four of his next five fights. His three most recent losses to Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua and Rich Franklin were downright decisive, leaving the mainstream star with little choice but to retire from the sport.
Liddell may be gone, but he's certainly not forgotten.
How about it Maniacs, share your best (and even worst) memories of Chuck Liddell in the comments section below. How will you remember "The Iceman?"
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