The Consequences of Redemption
It isn't often that I write about a fight two weeks out. This fight isn't even the main event on April 18 when UFC® 97 goes live from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and airs on Pay-Per-View. However, and despite that, it may very well be the most intriguing matchup of the night (certainly more intriguing than Spider Silva knocking out, submitting, executing or whatever he's going to do to that Leites guy, although you know I will be glued to my TV to watch just how it happens). What's so interesting about Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell against Mauricio "Shogun" Rua you ask? Well, let's take a look at each fighter's background for starters.
There isn't much you can write or say about Chuck Liddell that hasn't already been said or written. At one point, he was the biggest star in the UFC® and arguably in the entire world of MMA. A little analysis speaks to why.
Up until recently, this guy had lost only two fights in the UFC®, and the last one was back in June of '03. He is still a huge fan favorite, even though more recently he has lost three out of his last four fights. Now, the reason that you sometimes hear him referred to in the past tense isn't just because he has lost three out of his last four bouts; it's the way he has lost them. He has either taken a serious beating, or gotten seriously knocked out (see Rashad Evans), and his battle with Wanderlei Silva, although a classic thing of beauty and testament to both men's heart, nevertheless may have taken its toll on him physically, despite winning. You can never tell when a fighter's desire and skill level both start to slip. Nor can you tell which comes first. In last week's interview with Joe Rogan, Chuck spoke of training differently, working on his defense (guard), and that overall, he knew he had liabilities to improve on. Those are the kinds of things he needs to do to get back into title contention, for sure. This sport of MMA is really still in its neophyte stages and the evolution of "The MMA Fighter" is full-scale on, right now. More and more we are seeing the fighter with the diverse skill set emerge as the consistent winner, while maintaining longevity in the process. Chuck's big right hand and his demolishing left hook are both still huge and effective forces to be reckoned with inside the OctagonTM. Lest we also forget that he was an excellent college wrestler and holds a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. So, it's not like he has that much to improve on; amazing though how the little things make a big difference in such a violent and brutal art form.
Shogun Rua has always been somewhat of a prodigy. Here's a guy who started training at 16 years young at the famous Chute Box Gym in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and within months insisted on only sparring against pros like Spider and Wanderlei Silva. He turned pro only a year after he started training. Let's put that in perspective; it's kind of like building a rocket ship a year after you get your first chemistry set. Alright, maybe I am spinning it just a little, but you get the point. He's a former PRIDE® champion at the same weight (205), and he also won the PRIDE® Grand Prix back in '05, knocking out guys like Rampage Jackson and the other Nogueira brother, Rogerio. Not bad victories to have on your resume. However, along the way he's had some humbling injuries, including a broken arm served up by Mark "The Hammer" Coleman and two serious knee injuries. This guy is spectacular though, and loves to take risks; flying knees, surprise high kicks, and make no mistake, even though he says he likes Muay Thai more, he has some amazing Jiu-Jitsu skills, and his submissions seem to come from out of nowhere.
So, once these two warriors step into the cage, what does it all mean? For one man, he needs to reclaim his championship aura and winning tradition. If Chuck loses, it may be for the last time; at the very least it will be harder for the UFC® to continue to showcase him as a top fighter. Another loss and it will be like watching Michael Jordan play for the Wizards. Don't remember that? Who does? Now you know why! If he wins, then he is right back at the top of the heap and has every light heavy in the UFC® looking over their shoulder. Yes, even Rashad. This is Chuck's chance to be one of the few legends of fighting to really make a true comeback. He's not more than one or two victories away from that elusive title shot, and what UFC® 97 is all about: Redemption!
For the other man, he needs to start realizing his true potential, as in some people's opinions, the accolades and titles that were bestowed upon him came a little prematurely. If Shogun loses, then he really slips a notch and there are no excuses. Although at 27 years old it's a setback that he can overcome, and definitely not the end of a career; but this is the closest he has come to a UFC® championship and he knows that this victory can put him within striking range of a title shot. A PRIDE® championship is one thing. Winning a UFC® championship in front of a worldwide television audience, well, that's kind of like building that rocket ship and then riding it to the moon!
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed and as always... Have a Powerful Day!