Former UFC champion Chuck Liddell says he is the victim of domestic violence after his recent arrest.
qChuck Liddell reportedly says he is the victim of domestic violence after being arrested and jailed on Monday.
Liddell, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight champion, was arrested in Agoura Hills, Calif. on charges of domestic violence. In a statement released later that day, “The Iceman” claims it was his wife, Heidi Northcott, who committed acts of violence.
“This was one of the many times I have tried to shield a family mental health issue from the public purview,” Liddell reportedly said in a statement published by TMZ. “It has become painfully apparent that this cannot continue, as our private life has now reached a public breaking point.”
Liddell (21-9) reportedly claims to have suffered bruises and lacerations as a result of his wife’s alleged attack. Liddell additionally claims he was told Northcott would be arrested, and so he volunteered to take her place. He was released from jail in Los Angeles, Calif., at approximately 1:46 p.m. ET/10:46 a.m. PT on Monday. TMZ reports that he “appeared to be in good spirits,” offering a fist pump to reporters as he entered a Mercedes-Benz and drove off.
Liddell, 51, confirmed his second retirement from mixed martial arts (MMA) in March 2020. He suffered a first round knockout loss to Tito Ortiz in Nov. 2018 following a nearly eight-year layoff. In his prime, the former world champion defeated Ortiz (twice), Randy Couture (twice), Wanderlei Silva, Alistair Overeem and Vitor Belfort, among others.
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