Does Liddell deserve a title shot?
Because it’s a slower week, we have a guest post today from a freelance MMA writer raising the question of what to do with the light heavyweight division. Kye Stephenson is a freelance writer and MMA enthusiast based in Baltimore. He has contributed to the Baltimore City Paper, The Source, URB, Village Voice, Allhiphop.com.
Will we see Chuck Liddell vs. Forrest Griffin?
Kye Stephenson
After Forrest Griffin’s systematic defeat of Rampage Jackson for the light-heavyweight championship, many questions remain in that division. At the forefront is the question of whether we will see the pay-per-view extravaganza of Liddell vs. Griffin. Some MMA fans feel it is already a foregone conclusion that the UFC couldn’t pass up the revenue they would generate from matching up two of the most recognizable names in all of MMA. That is a very valid point and we all know that without PPV buys the UFC can’t survive. But I’m not sold on the worthiness of Liddell getting a shot.
Granted, with an impending fight against Rashad Evans on the horizon, this may become a moot point if he loses. However, assuming he wins, should he be first in line to fight for the title? In my opinion, even with a decisive victory over Evans, it’s still debatable. And not so much because of Liddell's last few fights, more so the fact that there are other fighters in the division that have stepped up. For instance, Lyoto Machida seems to be on the top of everyone’s list these days when considering title contenders. On the contrary, it can be said that Machida’s recent victories (over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Tito Ortiz) don’t weigh as heavily as Liddell's overall track record of dominance in the division. Instead of the “what have you done for me lately” thinking, the UFC may instead be looking at Liddell's previous victories over number one contenders and also what he’s meant to the UFC over the years. Regardless, now that Machida is scheduled to fight another top contender in Thiago Silva, we should certainly have some questions answered about both fighters.
In my eyes, now that both Machida and Liddell have top opponents before them, there should be a solid plan in place. I think a Jackson-Griffin rematch should have been the first order of business. But that might not be possible considering Jackson's recent arrest. With Jackson doubtful, I think the winner of Liddell-Evans fights the winner of Silva-Machida. If the stars align, we’ll see Machida fight Liddell and the winner going on to fight Griffin at the end of the year.
-Personally, if we’re going to have Machida and Liddell fight once more after their current bouts before getting a title shot, I think we have to have Quinton Jackson in the equation. He shouldn’t get an immediate rematch, especially after his episode, but if he can get his head together he should at least get a chance to be in that Machida-Liddell match. I think maybe Silva vs. Jackson again and then if Machida loses to Silva or Liddell loses to Evans, the winner of Wanderlei Silva-Quinton Jackson can step into that match to see who faces Griffin. At least, that’s how I would like to see it -- Mark
Comments
I believe that there needs to be a light heavyweight title shot very soon, and it should most probably be Chuck Liddell. First off, the light heavy title picture has been stagnant for extremely long (It took 10 months to finally get a title fight after the Dan Henderson unification bout) and fans NEED a title fight for this weight division because it is so stacked. No fan wants Forrest to wait with the belt for these fighters to fight twice more. somebody needs to challenge forrest in the next ~3 months. We should definitely wait and see who wins the Liddell-Evans and Machida-Silva fight before really making any predictions, however I believe if Liddell wins in impressive fashion, he will get a title shot.
It is almost a guarantee that Liddell will fight on the New Years Eve weekend bout because that has basically become his card over the last couple years. Because of his amazing fight with Wanderlei and his high profile status, it makes perfect sense to me that he will a get a title shot if he is victorious. People are saying now (and even more if he wins) that Rashad Evans is not that big of a threat, however I don't think this is true at all. If Machida beats Thiago, I would still like to see him fight a top 5 competitor, perhaps Rampage. I think that Liddell has still paid more dues in the past waiting for a title shot, and they still need to build Machida up with a HUGE win that comes via stoppage.
I also don't think that this is the time for Wand-Rampage 3. Wanderlei has already beat him twice (although the third bout will be a completely different fight) so beating him again (especially since Rampage is coming off a loss) won't put him much higher up the ranks. I think it might be time for a rematch between Rampage and Shogun. Also, I think it is now rumored that Wanderlei is fighting in October in Chicago. Let's not forget that rich Franklin is coming up to light heavy for a bout either, he could provide some very interesting match-ups if continues to fight up there.
I also don't think that Liddell vs. Machida is very marketable or exciting yet. It could easily turn out to be a slow paced kick boxing match that goes to decision. We need to wait on that one in my opinion, and it may only be exciting if it is a five round title fight (perhaps after Liddell has the title). Oh, and I really can't see Rashad beating Liddell in any facet of the game. The only ways would be if Liddell is still hurting from the hamstring injury and his conditioning is not 100% and/or it goes the distance. I can't see Liddell getting submitted or TKO'd at all. We will definitely see if Liddell still has it, or if he is way past his prime. People are playing this like it will be one sided or even not that exciting, but many questions will be answered that night. And Rashad doesn't know how to lose and has never been knocked out (I'm not sure but I don't think he has even been knocked down). I imagine he will dance around a little, throw a couple, then try to clinch Liddell against the cage. Liddell's reach will be huge in this fight.
- MARK IT DOWN
Posted by: Kevin | July 30, 2008 8:06 PM
Really Rampage needs a rematch . A lot of people thought he was robbed . I am a Rampage fan to the heart but i am a true MMA fan and a true sports fan , I was very sorry to say ever though Forrest really didnt win Beat the Champ ( A CHALLENGER REALLY NEEDS TO THE A CHAMP !) I was confident to say it was a drawl .I feel that Rampage should get his shot despite of his personal and legal issue's if his Doctor's agree he is in the right state of mind to fight again . I really like Forrest he's very tough , but he will lose his next fight . The light heavyweight division is very tough . I think Rampage vs Forrest Rematch will determine the Really winning of the 1st fight . Even if it was a drawl and Rampage was still champ . I would say i believe Forrest deserves a Rematch right away . It was a close fight . I think that Shogun should fight Wand , Liddell or Evans should fight the winner of T. Silva and Machida . Both Machida and Silva have not really fought anyone special in the light heavyweight division but i think a true test to any of these guys in the light heavyweight would be to fight Anderson Silva @ 205 . He is a all around animal . Give Rampage his Rematch Dana ! Its only right. This is just my opinion . Thanks for taking the time to read this .
Posted by: Rick V | July 31, 2008 12:31 AM
I don't really follow MMA that much but I am a big sports fan and probably fall into the category of people they are trying to attract. MMA is trying to become a mainstream sport and the best way to do that is to have Liddell fight for the title. He may not be the most deserving but he is the most recognizable person in the sport and he will bring the most viewers which is what they need at this point. I'm the perfect example. If I'm watching TV or listening to the radio and I hear an ad for a Liddell fight I'm going to remember the date and make an effort to watch. If I hear the same ad but not with Liddell fighting I probably don't even remember I heard the ad. Same thing with the Kimbo fight. I taped that fight I was so interested in seeing it. Now granted Kimbo was a dissapointment but it was great for MMA because it got people to watch. This is a very important time for MMA because they have taken a step toward becoming a major sport and they need to keep the momentum going. The best way to do that is by having the people the average sports fan are most familiar with fight. Make the undercard matchups guys who deserve a shot too but are unknown so they can build a name for themselves. The bottom line is the reason MMA is where it is today is because of Chuck Liddell. He is doing to MMA what Tiger Woods has done for golf. He's taken it to another level. They need Liddell fighting as much as possible. They also need guys like Brock Lesner and Kimbo fighting. They need to have someone training Kimbo so he can become a better fighter because wether the other fighters like him or not her makes people interested and right now that is the most important thing for this sport. So the real question is do they want to become a major sport or not and if the answer is yes then they need to have the guys that will get people to watch fighting as much as possible. They have made the choice to go from being a sport to a business and they need to make the best business choices.
Posted by: John | July 31, 2008 10:30 AM
I don't think Liddell should get a title shot just based on his recent fights. He's lost 2 of the last 3. A fighter who has lost 2 of his last 3 fights shouldn't be in line for a title fight.He shouldn't get a free pass the way Tito always seemed to get based on the past.
Posted by: Steve M | July 31, 2008 12:42 PM
First rampage got whupped for every one of his punches forrest landed 5 of his own he controlled him for round 2 and most of 3 and took all of rampages power putting them in a rematch immediately would be a death sentence for Griffin rampage would just come out and swing as hard as he can until Griffin dropped because now he knows that forrests puches really can't hurt him Rampage should fight Shogun Winner of Chuck Rashad should get a title shot Machida is too boring to be champ right now he should fight Wandi as far as even mentioning Anderson Silva as a LH title contender is a joke he lacks the power put him in against Wandi or any top LH and he would get slayed Beating James Irvin should not put him in title contention you dorks Mabye Rampage vs Lyoto as long as lyoto doesn't run away the whole fight like he did with tito it could be good what about Lyoto vs Rich Franklin they have already fought it could be a good match up
Posted by: ArealMMAfAn | August 1, 2008 10:26 PM
FIRST OF ALL CHUCK DIDN'T GET A REMATCH WHEN HE LOST THE BELT SO WHY SHOULD RAMPAGE AFTER ONLY DEFENDING IT ONCE.ANYONE THAT FOLLOWS MMA COULD SEE THAT CHUCK WAS OFF HIS GAME WITH KEITH.THE WAND FIGHT SHOULD TELL YOU HE IS BACK ON.HOWEVER I DO THINK THAT MACHIDA IS #2 RIGHT NOW & WILL BECOME THE BEST POUND FOR POUND FIGHTER IN THE SPORT.
Posted by: RON PERCY | August 1, 2008 10:49 PM
I believe if Rashad Evans defeats Chuck Liddell he leap frogs everybody and then gets his title shot in possibly December, or Feburary.
Rashad Evans is 6-0-1 in the UFC, and he has defeated Michael Bisping (Top 10 LHW) and Stephan Bonnar (Top 15 LHW) and drawed former LHW Champion and top 10 LHW Tito Ortiz. If he defeats Chuck Liddell he would have a record of 2-0 against the top 10 of LHW.
Chuck Liddell is 1-2 his past 3 fights, losing to Rampage and Keith Jardine. He defeated a top 10 fighter in Wanderlei Silva, and if he defeats Rashad Evans he would defeat a top 5 LHW, and he would be 2-2 his past 4 fights.
Lyoto Machida is 5-0 in the UFC and has defeated only 1 top 10 LHW in Tito Ortiz, and he defeated a top 20 LHW in Sokodjou. If he defeats Thiago Silva, he defeats a top 10 LHW.
Wanderlei Silva is 1-1 in his comeback from the UFC, losing to Top 5 LHW Chuck Liddell and defeating Top 10 LHW in Keith Jardine.
Rampage has defeated Chuck Liddell and Dan Henderson, the guys who were considered 1 and 2 LHW at the time he fought them. Now he lost to the number 1 LHW in Forrest Griffin.
Thiago Silva has defeated nobody in the top 10 nor top 15.
So here is the way it breaks down, if Rashad Evans defeats Chuck Liddell, Rashad Evans has done enough to get the title shot against Forrest Griffin, making his UFC Record 7-0-1.
If Rashad Evans loses, and Chuck Liddell wins, Chuck Liddell should have to fight either a.) Wanderlei Silva if he defeats Rampage Jackson. B.) Keith Jardine if he defeats Brandon Vera C.) Shogun Rua/Mark Coleman winner
If Rampage wins against Wanderlei he should be the number 1 contender after Rashad/Griffin.
If Wanderlei wins, he should have to A.) Fight Chuck Liddell (if Victorious) B.) Fight the winner of Lyoto Machida/Thiago Silva C.) Brandon Vera if he defeats Keith Jardine
If Lyoto Machida Wins he should have to A.) Fight Chuck Liddell if he wins B.) Fight Wanderlei Silva if he wins C.) fight the winner of Brandon Vera/Keith Jardine
D.) Fight Rich Franklin
Thiago Silva if he wins A.) has to fight somebody else in top 5-10.
Because right now my LHW rankings are
1.) Forrest Griffin
2.) Rampage Jackson
3.) Rashad Evans
4.) Chuck Liddell
5.) Lyoto Machida
6.) Shogun Rua
7.) Wanderlei Silva
8.) Brandon Vera
9.) Keith Jardine
10.) Thiago Silva
Only time will tell, but in my honest opinion I think that is how it should work.
Posted by: Drew Chalfioux-Cryus | August 5, 2008 12:58 AM
I think MR. T would have ruled MMA
Posted by: robert curran | August 5, 2008 3:20 PM
my comments is that i seen the forrest griffin rampage fight i thank it should have been a draw they gave that to forrest because he was a fan favorite i dont thank liddel should have got a rematch with rampage for the simple fact that he was knocked out rampage lose was questiable
Posted by: kevin frazier | August 12, 2008 9:53 AM