It's official: UFC 79 to feature Liddell vs. W. Silva
Twenty minutes into Spike TV's presentation of Scream 2007, UFC President Dana White made the announcement that MMA fans have been waiting months if not years to hear: Chuck Liddell will finally face Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79.
Maybe one of the worst-kept secrets in recent UFC history, fans were tantalized by misplaced teasers over the last few days. But, nothing was official until tonight.
This fight won't have quite the luster it would have had about 15 months ago when both fighters were champions of their respective promotions. Instead, we have a matchup between two fighters trying to end two-fight losing streaks (Silva has lost to Mirko Cro Cop and Dan Henderson and Liddell has lost to Rampage Jackson and Kieth Jardine).
Still, this a fight White and MMA fans have wanted for a long time and now they get it. If the Internet forums and blogs are any indication, this matchup will have fans buzzing for the next two months.
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
Go Wanderlei! Axe Murderer rulz joo!
Posted by: Shaun Wackerly | October 24, 2007 1:37 PM
Pramit: I have an update re: the CompuStrike program. Power strikes & Clinch strikes will now produce Total Arm Strikes and Kicks & Knees will now produce Total Leg Strikes...
CompuStrike will also provide a pre-fight analysis for UFC 78 main event between Michael Bisping and Rashad Evans exclusively for the Yahoo Sports MMA page.
Posted by: bob canobbio | October 25, 2007 12:18 AM
This should be a great fight. The big problem is that since both fights are coming of loses, their mindset is going to be more on not losing, instead of not winning. For either fighter another loss can be a problem. But more for Silva. Pride fighters have come to realize that UFC fighters are not the weaker opponents that many of them thought they were. Pride fighters have failed to live up to any of the hype. The biggest problem for Chuck in Silva's knee's, which are far worse then Jackson's. And Silva has to worry about keeping his hands up, because Chuck can pick his punches better then most. I just don't know the outcome, but I would have to guess Chuck will win. Silva has been out of the game for a longtime now. His rage is no where near what it was 2 years ago. I wish this fight happen last year, but better late then never.
Posted by: Russ | October 25, 2007 1:14 AM
Chuck Liddell is the best fighter!!! I support him 100%!!! He will win the fight for sure.
Posted by: Jackie Bosch | October 25, 2007 2:45 AM
Chuck gonna knock him the f*** OUT!
Posted by: john | October 25, 2007 7:03 PM
Can't wait!
Posted by: bob | October 25, 2007 10:03 PM
You guys are delusional... Wanderlei is going to KO Chuck in the first round.
Rampge and Jardine exposed Chuck for what he really is, a medeocre fighter with a great right hand. When Chuck doesn't get lucky and land a big KO punch, he loses against decent competition.
Wanderlei has had SO MUCH rest, and he had a period like Couture did. Wanderlei realized that his illustrious reign of terror was crashing to a halt. He stepped back, and had a long time to think about his career. He moved, rehabbed injuries, and his desire to fight is now higher than ever.
Wanderlei even went to work with Couture and took some motivation from what Couture has been doing.
Look for The Axe Murderer to Win in 1st round KO fashion, and then be a major player in the UFC LHW championship for years to come.
Forrest VS Rampage is next for LHW champ, and once Rampage disposes of Forrest, he'll face the Axe Murderer for the 3rd time to defend his title.. gonna be awsome.
Posted by: Matt | October 26, 2007 2:09 AM
"You guys are delusional... Wanderlei is going to KO Chuck in the first round."
ARE YOU CRAZY, CHUCK LIDDELL HAS BEAT THE WHO'S WHO IN THE LIGHT HEAVY WEIGHT DIVISION, THE BEST STRIKER IN MMA, SILVA'S STYLE, HE WILL WALK INTO A BIG RIGHT HAND, WHO'S REACH WILL BE ABOUT 6" OVER SILVA, HE IS GETTING MOTIVATION FROM RANDY COUTURE, LIDDELL IS THE ONLY ONE TO EVER KNOCK COUTURE OUT, TWICE
Posted by: S.EDGE | November 24, 2007 10:05 PM