With 23 fights under his belt in the UFC, Chuck Liddell was one of the most influential wrestlers to make MMA popular in the United States.
Along with Randy Couture, Liddell played an influential role to bring the sport into limelight in America and he was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009 for his contributions. Liddell was a fine athlete with expertise in Koei-Kan Karate, Kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The American had an extensive background in Kempo and was experienced with grappling in collegiate wrestling. Known as the Iceman, he used to fight in the Light Heavyweight division (205 lb.).
He has an impressive record in kickboxing with 20 wins in 22 fights and 16 by knockout. His mixed martial arts record is 21 wins out of 29 and 13 by knockout.
Liddell won his debut UFC fight against Noe Hernandez during UFC 17 in Alabama but his next bout really made him popular overnight.
Fighting against Brazilian legend Jose “Pele” Landi-Johns in a hostile environment in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Liddell dominated the bare-knuckle match and won by a decision.
As wins over established fighter like Kevin Randleman, Murilo Bustamante, Jeff Monson, Vito Belfort, Renato Sobral and Tito Ortiz followed; Liddell quickly rose to fame and was established as a top contender in the sport.
By 2002, Liddell had received a lot of positive feedback and achieved a large fan base but his big moment came two years later in a fight against Tito Ortiz. In a fight that was marred by controversies and animosity between the two fighters, Liddell knocked Ortiz out with a flurry of punches.
Liddell was the coach on Spike TV’s reality show named The Ultimate Fighter which aired its inaugural season in 2005. The show featured amateur fighters competing for a UFC contract and produced successful UFC stars like Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin.
At UFC 52, Liddell knocked out Randy Couture with a big right hand to the temple and became the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Liddle faced longtime veteran Jeremy Horn in a much anticipated encounter that saw him dominate the entire game with his aggressive style.
Horn lost in the fourth round when he informed the referee he could not see any longer. At UFC 57 Liddell knocked out Randy Couture again and successfully defended his light heavyweight championship belt.
The fight which was held in Nevada was intense and action packed and will be remembered because Liddell announced his retirement from mixed martial arts after the fight. Liddell successfully defended his title again at UFC 62 against Sobral and then one more time against Oritz in UFC 66.
Liddell was associated with The Pit fight team during his career and had a close relationship with John Hackleman. Liddell has two children with fellow MMA fighter Casey Noland and another two with his wife Heidi Northcott. Liddell went to college in San Luis Obsipo and has a memorabilia store in the city besides continuing to train there to this day. Liddell also partly owned two bars and endorsed John McCain for United States President in 2008.
Besides a successful fighting career he often makes guest appearances on television. Liddell has also penned his own autobiography Iceman: My Fighting Life and became the first UFC fighter to feature on the cover of ESPN the Magazine in 2007. He has raised an estimated net worth of $13 million.
Quick Summary:
Full name: Charles David Liddell
Date of birth: December 17, 1969
Birth place: Santa Barbara, California, United States
Age: 50 years
Profession: Retired Mixed Martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion
Height: 6 feet 2 inches
Weight: 93kg
Net worth: $13 million