UFC legend Chuck Liddell gets his 'Boots On' to support armed forces

DALLAS, Texas (Dec. 15, 2015) - America, get YOUR boots on! Legendary mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) great Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell joins Boot Campaign's #BootsOn initiative to support the 1.38 million men and women serving in our military today and the 22 million veterans who have served in the past. Boot Campaign is a national nonprofit that promotes patriotism, raises awareness of military issues and provides vital assistance for our nation's heroes and their families.

"Patriotism to me is defending your country for what it stands for," explains the Santa Barbara, Calif.-born Liddell. (It's our military who are) allowing us to be who we are and allowing us to have the freedoms that we have, and the great things our country is all about. So, I'm getting my boots on to support the guys who go out and support us."

Liddell burst onto the MMA scene in 1998 during his UFC debut fight win against Noe Hernandez in UFC 17. His rise to UFC champion includes most notable TKO wins against Randy Couture (UFC 52 & 57), Tito Ortiz (UFC 47 & 66), Wanderlei Silva (UFC 79) and the KO win that catapulted him into UFC stardom at UFC 31 against Kevin Randleman. Liddell reigned as UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion for two years, defending his title five times. Liddell, along with Couture, is credited with bringing MMA into mainstream America.

En route to his 2009 induction into the UFC Hall of Fame, Liddell's career included championship belts as the UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion (former), USMTA North American Heavyweight Champion, International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) National Heavyweight Champion, and International Fighting Championship (IFC) Heavyweight Champion.

Trained in Koei-Kan Karate, Hawaiin Kempo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, Wrestling, his career highlights also include a fifth-degree Black Belt in Kempo under John Hackleman, Purple Belt in Jiu-Jitsu under John Lewis, and a collegiate career as an NCAA Division I wrestler for his hometown Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Mustangs.

Since his last fight in June of 2010, Chuck has enjoyed some time off. In addition to his new contributions to the Boot Campaign #BootsOn initiative, Liddell has been traveling as an ambassador promoting the UFC and making personal appearances all over the United States. He currently has a partnership with Autozone and has a couple comedic commercials running. He also is working for Fox Sports on a Fantasy Football Uncensored show. A veteran of numerous television shows and films, often playing himself, he recently appeared in the 2015 American action war film titled "War Pigs."

With Liddell's support, the Boot Campaign mission to promote patriotism, raise awareness of veterans' issues and provide assistance for military families of all generations will reach an even greater audience and help even more deserving heroes. Howes' sincere gratitude for service members is greatly appreciated by both Boot Campaign and the military community.

In addition to Boot Campaign's honored active duty and veteran ambassadors, more than 500 celebrities have stepped up to support the Boot Campaign mission. Dwayne Johnson, Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, Zac Brown Band, Jim Caveziel, Troy Aikman, Florida Georgia Line, Holly Madison, the cast of Sons of Anarchy, Randy Couture, Marcus Luttrell, Taya Kyle, and many more have put their boots on with Boot Campaign.

Learn more at http://bootcampaign.org and join the #BootsOn community on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @Bootcampaign.