Rashad Evans Could Upset Chuck Liddell At UFC 88

by Tha Realness on Aug 20, 2008 9:46 AM EDT Comment 18 comments

I know I know…Liddell kills wrestlers and the prove is in the pudding. Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz both succumbed to ass whippings twice, as did Kevin Randleman. However, there are several factors that could possibly alter the outcome that we have become all to familiar with in this regard. First let’s take a look at Rashad Evans and what he brings to the table in comparison to the other wrestlers Liddell has faced.

Rashad brings a decent chin, adequate standup game, questionable stamina, but is a much better athlete than Couture or Ortiz. I think the X-factor for Evans will be his stamina. If he comes into this fight in shape, I think his chances of winning go up dramatically. Now let’s take a look some of the factors that could affect the outcome of this fight:

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Could….but won’t. I don’t see Evans being successful in the take downs and I think Chuck’s devastating counter punching will end the fight in the 1st or 2nd round.

Not a big fan of either, nor do I greatly dislike either guy.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Aug 20, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would’t bet money on Rashad…BUT he has alot of factors in his favor.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Aug 20, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I've never been a Chuck fan,

but I just don’t see how Rashad can win, assuming Chuck’s at 100%. Rashad is really well-rounded..with absolutely no plus skill to speak of. Chuck’s got A-level takedown defense and A-level counter-punching. Chuck’s whole gameplan is one of conserving energy and waiting for his opponent to come to him, so he can deliver a killshot.

I could see this fight being quite boring, actually, if Rashad simply refuses to come forward. Chuck looks completely lost these days when he has to press the attack and supply the momentum. Looks great when he’s doing the sprawl-and-brawl thing, of course, but Rashad might be smart to play the outside striking game and whittle Chuck down. I still doubt he can win with that gameplan, but it probably keeps him from a jumbo-serving of canvas.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 20, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What? He pushed the fight almost the whole time against Wand and it was awesome.

I think calling Rashad’s standup game adequate is overstating things in his favor.

by Michael Rome on Aug 20, 2008 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Admittedly, I didn't see Chuck vs. Wand.

If he’s able to press the attack while maintaining the effectiveness of his striking, then Chuck is probably on a fast-track to re-gaining his title and holding it for a long time. I’m not being hyperbolic whatsoever. If he can press the attack and maintain his killer KO power, then he’ll be able to roll anyone in that division outside of Machida, and while Machida is good at avoiding big shots, Chuck’s power is undeniable. All it takes is one clip and the fight’s over..even I can’t deny that Chuck’s got the best killer instincts in MMA.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 20, 2008 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How did you not see Wandy/Chuck?

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Aug 21, 2008 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I live in many different countries

and alternate between them kind of at random. I try to schedule trips so that I can catch events like UFC (which is usually the only PPV MMA I can see outside the USA) but that one slipped by :(

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 21, 2008 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad = Lame

by nitro on Aug 20, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Will the “Iceman” be healthy enough to ride around on his chuck-cycle for 15 minutes? A pulled hamy is not an easy injury to get over. Especially when you are 38 (not taking away from his athletic ability). No doubt, Chuck will be ready and healthy, but Greg Jackson has to think that Liddell’s thighs are fair-game in leui of Jardine’s victory.

I still can’t fathom Chuck losing, but there are several directions this fight can go.

by Heenan on Aug 20, 2008 7:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

When Rashad headkicks Chuck into La La Land

… don’t be surprised. I loathe Liddell so I hope he gets destroyed.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Aug 21, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't care for Chuck much at all

but I don’t see Rashad ending it with a headkick. It would be spectacular, though, and would catapult Rashad up the divisional ladder.

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Aug 21, 2008 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Rashad wins by headkick that would be bigger than Serra’s knockout of St. Pierre.

"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007

by lovingmma25 on Aug 21, 2008 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually ...

… it’d be bigger than Gonzaga’s knockout of CroCop.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Aug 22, 2008 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Umm No

SInce Rashad has actually KTFO with a headkick before.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Aug 22, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I want to see Liddell vs. Sean Salmon

by Michael Rome on Aug 21, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

you're mean...

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Aug 22, 2008 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rashad’s only chance is that Jackson comes up with some gameplan that no one’s thought of yet- and he already used one of those for Jardine.

by George Lucas on Aug 21, 2008 7:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's called bum-rushing

I could see Rashad saying “screw it” and just bum-rushing Chuck.

Overwhelm him early with crazy crap and leg kicks. Then, when he’s looking for the strikes, go for the takedown and clinch against the cage as you work towards it.

"A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on." - Sir Winston Churchill

by FlyByKnight on Aug 22, 2008 7:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs