Filed under: UFC
Though it was generally regarded as little more than a formality, Chuck Liddell‘s official retirement on Wednesday was one of those moments where one side of your mouth curls a little and you nod silently in respect for one of the greats.
Liddell’s retirement has been talked about for the better part of the last 20 months, ever since he was knocked out by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 97. Then, his boss, UFC president Dana White, said “The Iceman” was done.
It turned out Liddell, who went into the UFC Hall of Fame at UFC 100, had one more fight left in him. But after Rich Franklin knocked him out in June, Liddell walked out of the Octagon for the last time as a fighter.
Liddell is widely regarded as one of the sport’s true legends and one of the fighters who is credited the most for putting the UFC on the mainstream map. He’s written a book, graced the cover of ESPN The Magazine, made cameos in critically acclaimed series (“Entourage”) and in forgettable movies (“Drillbit Taylor”). He even was on “Dancing With the Stars.” Now he’ll don a suit – though we pray he doesn’t lose the mohawk – as a UFC vice president.
But none of it would’ve been possible if not for so many memorable appearances in rings and cages. On the day of his official retirement, we take a look back at some of the greatest performances of Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell’s Hall of Fame career.