Checking From Behind Pulling No Punches

UFC veteran Chuck Liddell's return to the Octagon at UFC 115 was a long process and could very well have changed his life. The drive to fight and keep his career alive came at the cost of sacrifice and commitment that he was slowly losing. This weekend, at UFC 115, he has an opportunity to earn back all that he has lost.

Chuck Liddell's road in the UFC hit its first block when he lost the UFC Light Heavyweight championship to then Pride newcomer Quinton "Rampage" in May of 2007. Four months later, he would lose to the most inconsistent fighter on the planet - Keith Jardine - via split decision.

In December of 2007, Liddell's career seemed to be back on tract with a dominating performance over Wanderlei Silva that ended with Chuck earning a unanimous decision win, but for those who did not see the fight, Liddell hit Silva with everything he had, but the Brazilian just would not go down.

Nearly a year later, Chuck Liddell was paired with Rashad Evans at UFC 88: Breakthrough. After a promising first round, Liddell was getting ready to throw what could have been the knock out of the night, had Evans not landed his punch first. Down went Liddell in his second KO loss in four fights.

In April of 2009, Chuck would be the third fight for another Pride newcomer, current Light Heavyweight Champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. The Brazilian striker connected with a devastating left hook to rock Chuck, and followed up with hammer fists to earn the stoppage. It would be Chuck's third received KO/TKO and four losses in his last five fights.

After that fight had concluded, Dana White was quoted saying "he's done." It was evident in his fights that even Liddell's physique had lost its conditioning. It seemed Chuck Liddell was past his prime and nearing retirement. The only man who did not know that was Chuck.

Liddell contacted Dana White to have a meeting with him in Las Vegas to continue his career. White informed him that the first step to recovery, in perhaps more than one way, was to quit the night life.

"Chuck Liddell was a zombie," White said. "He was literally walking around like a zombie. You can't go out every night and then roll into a camp for four weeks and come out and fight. It doesn't work. It was when he saw the window closing that he started to take it serious and wants to come back and see if he can really do it one more time."

Since that meeting, Liddell has got his body conditioning perhaps better than it has ever been. He is focussed and determined, and even has his edge back based on the current season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Dana White now believes that Chuck has a knockout strategy against Rich Franklin and hopes he can accomplish the comeback feat.

"I think he's going to try to defend the takedown (and) probably going to go straight right hand, left hook because Rich (Franklin) is a southpaw," White said.

Dana White also hinted that a victory here could spark Chuck Liddell's final quest for the title shot.

"Maybe we don't find out in this fight with Chuck," White said. "Maybe it's the fight after this, but I'm interested to see."

Liddell had one thing to say about the chance for a title shot.

"I'm looking for the title. That's what I'm here for."

The following is an interview with Dana White at the UFC 115 press conference.

Micheal A. Aldred

Chuck Liddell says he isn't ready to call it a career, and after he gets a chance at throwing down with opposite coach Tito Ortiz for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, Chuck hopes to secure a win and move his way back into title contention.

"I miss fighting and I want to fight, so that's what I'm doing. I'll keep arguing and (White) will keep arguing with me. I just have to show him that I can perform. I would like another fight and then I want another fight after. Hopefully, Dana's happy with my two wins and I get a shot at a contender and then a shot at a title. That's four fights and that's about as far forward as I've thought. I have to go out on my own, the way I want to go out. It has to be my decision. I'm not going to let fans or people that aren't that close to me and don't watch me train, don't see what I can still do, make that decision for me."

Liddell has recently lost 4 of his last 5 fights, but at age 40, does he still have what it takes to be effective in the UFC and as a mixed martial artist?

Micheal A. Aldred

michealaldred@hotmail.com