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Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell is finally on! Ok, so maybe the MMA world hasn't been exactly clamoring for this particular fight; but after a short delay due to Liddell's hamstring injury, the fight will actually take place on September 6 as the main event of UFC 88 from Atlanta, GA. Regardless of hardcore interest for this fight, this is an interesting fight and could prove to put either the "Iceman" or "Sugar" on a fast track to a title shot.
Chuck Liddell was last seen in the UFC Octagon defeating Wanderlei Silva by decision in a fight that was a long time in coming but well worth the wait. Rashad Evans is coming off of a split decision win over Michael Bisping at UFC 78 in a fight that was neither anticipated nor lauded. Evans has not lost an MMA fight, but he certainly hasn't won over all of the fans in doing so, and a victory over Liddell could serve to establish him in the eyes of the fans in a way that his unblemished record has not yet been able to. The back to back losses that Liddell suffered at the hands of Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine made many wonder if the "Iceman" was in fact on the decline; and a win over Evans, coupled with the victory over Silva, could serve to prove that we shouldn't write him off just yet. One is fighting for the chance to become a top name in MMA and the other is fighting to prove that he is still more than just that, and winning this fight will go a long way towards proving the case for either man.
When it comes to box office and as far as being one of the faces and names associated with UFC, Chuck Liddell is at the top of the list. When it comes to ranking the best 205 lb. fighters at the moment it is not so easy to immediately place Chuck at the top of the food chain. This division is stacked and from a box office perspective you could make the claim that perhaps Chuck should face off against Griffin next, but he does need to prove himself once more. This is a sport where what you have done lately matters, unless you want to fight Kimbo Slice for Elite XC, and in that case it is more of what you have not done lately that earns you that spot. Anyhow, Chuck pulled himself back up with the victory over Silva and he can make us believe that he is not done yet with a victory on September 6.
It all depends on which Chuck Liddell shows up for the fight that night. Will it be the Liddell of December 2007 who beat Silva? Or will it be the Chuck Liddell from "Good Morning Texas" from March of 2007 who was in such bad shape that Rampage would have made sure to call him a cab. I know, I know, Dana White has said that Chuck was battling pneumonia and had gulped down a truckload of sedatives the night before as a way to justify this behavior, but reports suggest that Chuck does enjoy the nightlife and he often enjoys it in the days leading up to a fight.
What I am suggesting is that perhaps his carousing or lack thereof could decide how this fight turns out. Chuck Liddell loves to hit the nightclubs, and at 38 years of age, it is time to maybe restrict that to times in between fights. I personally don't think the "Iceman" is done just yet but I do believe that injuries such as his torn hamstring will continue to persist should he not rededicate himself to his sport. A younger Chuck Liddell could walk to the Octagon from the bar and stamp someone out in a few minutes, strike a pose, thank Xyience and head off to party some more before catching up on sleep. At this age, he no longer can do such things and how well he trained for this fight will tell you all that you need to know. Liddell at 38 is still better than most fighters can ever be, but it is going to take more than just being the "Iceman" to get it done at this stage of his career.
Rashad Evans is known for putting fans to sleep as if they are Chuck Liddell mid-interview, and this is one reason that he is still not being taken seriously. He clearly is a very skilled fighter who sports an unblemished record, and it can be argued that he caused Tito Ortiz as much trouble as the much heralded Forrest Griffin did; but it has not changed sentiment. Evans has done nothing but win fights but has done nothing as far as winning over fans and this is one reason that this matchup seems to lack the sizzle of so many other UFC PPV main events. This is his chance to do just that and never again will such an opportunity present itself for Evans.
Had Chuck lost to Silva this fight probably would still be happening but most would have written Chuck off as being past his prime. In that case had Evans pulled off the win it would have done nothing to establish himself, instead it would have done everything to tell Chuck that it is time to hang them up. With Chuck coming in off the heels of a fight of the night victory over Silva, Evans has a chance to make his own name while beating a guy who is still considered to be a viable force in the division. Rashad has much to gain and for once could vault his way into contention for a title shot as well as finally earning the respect of the fans.
It is a given that both men will again fight on a UFC card in the future. Chuck Liddell can always be one win away from being considered the old Chuck Liddell and could suffer a loss and still not lose his place at the top of the card. Not so for Rashad Evans, however. Rashad would certainly have to start again and win a few fights before being considered for a title shot. This fight is all about a title shot and it is all about the moment. Chuck probably will not be fighting at age 44 like a Ken Shamrock, unless Kimbo is still undefeated and needs a "name" opponent and Chuck has also happened to lose all of his motor skills.
Time is of the essence and with a win over Evans, Chuck makes certain the title shot will come in December or very soon after. Rashad cannot afford the loss because the risk of getting lost in the shuffle at 205 is real. Evans is a tremendous fighter but there are too many names at this weight that could all afford a loss and still be widely considered to be deserving of a title shot in fan's eyes. It is all about standing out for Evans; and for a fighter who has been soundly dismissed as boring, this is his chance to control his destiny. So, this is a crossroads match of sorts and a reason such as this is what could lead this fight to be so much better than most imagine.
Chuck Liddell wants to make us believe that he hasn't gone anywhere and that he can still be the flag bearer for UFC in the immediate future. Rashad Evans wants to show us that he isn't going anywhere and begin defining his career in MMA with a win over a legend. Liddell is trying to linger a while longer in the championship picture and Evans is jumping up and down from the back row in hopes of getting in the picture. The fight for relevance and for the chance to belong is one that could very well tell us how much of a fight we are in for. Both fighters want to taste the sweetness of victory and possibly get a shot at Griffin and neither man wants to be left out in the cold when it comes to the title picture. Does the "Iceman" have a few more bullets left in his gun and can "Sugar" do more than avoid the shots? Can Rashad fire back with something himself and not be satisfied with going to the scorecards?
Chuck is fighting time and Rashad is fighting all who doubt him belonging amongst the upper echelon of fighters at 205 lbs. UFC 88 "Breakthrough" could be the night that Evans breaks out and Liddell finally breaks down; the stage is definitely set for a very important fight in the light heavyweight division. Will it be Liddell’s striking that makes it a short night or could Evans show something more than his slow and tactical way of grinding out a decision? Time will tell and we will be watching along with Forrest Griffin who just may find out who his next opponent will be after this one is over.
