UFC 97 Redemption Liddell Vs Rua in depth review
The co main event for upcoming UFC 97 is just over a week away and thought I would have a good look at former UFC Light Heavyweight champion and fans favourite Chuck The Iceman Liddell and Pride hero and highly rated Mauricio Shogan Rua.
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
Fighting out of San Luis Obispo, California, America
Age 39
Height 6′ 2″
Weight 205 lbs. Light Havyweight
Overall MMA Record 21-6-0
Strengths Excellent striker and well-rounded experienced grappler
Last 5 fights (UFC)
Loss Rashad Evans Knock Out UFC 88 BREAKTHROUGH
Win Wanderlei Silva Unanimous Decision UFC 79 NEMESIS
Loss Keith Jardine Split Decision UFC 76 KNOCKOUT
Loss Quinton Jackson Technical Knock Out UFC 71: LIDDELL VS. JACKSON
Win Tito Ortiz Technical Knock Out UFC 66: LIDDELL VS. ORTIZ
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
Fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil
Age 27
Height 6′ 1″
Weight 205 lbs Light Heavyweight
Overall MMA Record (W-L-D) 17-3-0
Strengths Very aggressive, good skills in Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, and very strong
Fights in the UFC
Win Mark Coleman TKO UFC 93 FRANKLIN vs HENDERSON
Loss Forrest Griffin Submission by choke UFC 76 KNOCKOUT
Both men havent had it easy in the last few months/years in the UFC. Shogun was rated up there with the elite across the board in MMA has had a difficult time when he first came to the UFC, he had numerous injuries and it showed in his lose to Forrest Griffin, and last time out he struggled with a win over hall of famer Mark Coleman, this was a bad blood rematch from a former fight in Pride. Shogan was far from his best and just finished off mid 40′s fighter Coleman.
Shogun is known for his extreme and brutual fighting style which will be a must with Chuck Liddell who hasnt looked anything near his best in his last 5 fights. Liddell has been knocked out twice recently and ultimately questions are asked whether he can take a good punch or not, which Shogun will no doubt try and take advantage of.
Liddell has been training hard for this fight and has given numerous interviews which suggests he has worked incredibily hard and harder than recent training, Liddell has had a warning from his friend Dana White about another lose and he will find myself out of the UFC which should give him the kick up the ass he needs. Maybe his age is catching up with him, caught with a plum left from Rampage and tagged hard by current champ Rashad Evans, being 39 cant be easy to get up for fights and train harder for another fight, if any inspiration can be taken, Chuck can take it from old enermy Randy Couture who until his lose to Brock Lesnar looked better than ever and is in his 40′s.
Liddell may have to bring in big kicks and be more defence rather than his usual swing for the fences approach. Shogun’s muay thai may have to be brought out to take out The Iceman, his stand up against Mark Coleman was not great and to dominate a man like Chuck he needs to dedicate the fight and pick Liddell apart with select attacks and then dominate him getting close and over powering Chuck and finishing him off.
The fight will be very close, but hink if Shogun Rua is fit enough and confident he will take out the former champion Chuck Liddell, Liddell will need to KO Shogun to win and cant see that happening. Maybe its the last fight in Liddell’s successful UFC career.
Remember to check it out on Setanta Sports 2 (sky channel 424) Sunday April 19th 03.00 – 06.00 in UK and Eire, America and Canada it will be on PPV on Spike or Yahoo online.
Check out the overview of UFC 97 – link
And don’t forget the real big fight of the night Anderson The Spider Silva Vs fellow Brazilian Thales Leites for the Middleweight title. If Anderson Silva wins he will be the record holder. Silva win real talk!
Danny Denhard
Betalabs
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