Chuck Liddell's Sponsor Gives Away the Plans

by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2008 1:53 AM EDT in News Comment 19 comments

One of the worst-kept secrets in MMA is that Chuck Liddell is one win away from a title shot. If he beats Rashad Evans, he will almost surely face Forrest Griffin in a huge main event. According to his sponsors, that fight will take place in December in Las Vegas if Chuck beats Rashad:

To hype December's fight, Iceman RX is holding a sweepstakes starting on September 1 and ending on December 27 (to coincide with Liddell's appearance at UFC 92). The winner receives a special edition Chuck Liddell Iceman Rx Hummer H2.

Lyoto Machida will surely be rooting for Rashad Evans in two weeks. Even if Liddell does get the shot, Machida is probably only two wins away from a shot of his own, but he really needs a decisive win on free TV over Thiago Silva to seal the deal.

If Liddell loses, I still think he'll be fighting in Vegas, though it would likely be against someone like Shogun, Wanderlei Silva, or even Anderson Silva.

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Lyoto Machida will surely be rooting for Rashad Evans in two weeks. Even if Liddell does get the shot, Machida is probably only two wins away from a shot of his own, but he really needs a decisive win on free TV over Thiago Silva to seal the deal.

True enough. I love Machida and the way he fights, but the reality is, he’s gonna have to learn to sharpen his killer instinct and take some risks.

by pud333 on Aug 27, 2008 1:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s a little silly to think that “appearance” automatically means “title shot”, especially when the blog breaking the story links to a site that has no information about the sweepstakes (as far as I can tell).

Not to say that Chuck getting a title shot is unlikely, I just don’t see this as clear evidence either way.

by George Lucas on Aug 27, 2008 2:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Appearance is a term Mania is using. He is going to be fighting on that show, they’re not doing a sweepstakes to end with Chuck doing an autograph signing.

by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2008 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the people at Mania were told that by Iceman RX, I have emailed them to check, because you’re right that the whole article doesn’t exactly have concrete proof or anything.

by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2008 2:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll take the Hummer.

by nitro on Aug 27, 2008 3:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hmmmm…very interesting.

Well looks like that just punched my ppv buy right there lol.

I wonder what else the ufc has in store for that card considering Chuck beats Rashad next week Saturday and gets the title shot.

by bigislandboi808 on Aug 27, 2008 3:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We have been talking all this time about if Chuck wins, he is gettng a shot at the belt. What about Rashad? I know he does not have any convincing wins or face top 10 opponent. But, He is undefeated, this should put him the mix.

by The Bronzeville Bully on Aug 27, 2008 7:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A win over Liddell puts Rashad in the discussion for sure, but he is still at least two wins away. If Rashad beats Chuck I think he needs at least one more high quality win before he gets a chance at the title. An Evans win would put Machida in line for the next title shot.

by Andy R on Aug 27, 2008 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

… isn’t it entirely possible that if Evans wins the UFC would put him and Machida up against each other to “eliminate” one of them from this discussion?

by Kierkegaard on Aug 27, 2008 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very true, I could see them putting Rashad up against the winner of Thiago Silva-Machida to get a clear number one contender. The only question is how long are they willing to let the lhw title go undefended.

by Andy R on Aug 27, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Evans is going to have to knock out Liddell to be taken serious. Or at least dominate him. If it goes to decision, Liddell wins. I also feel he’s not been given the respect he deserves. IMO if he wins his name should be in the top 10.

by Akorn on Aug 27, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Even if Chuck beats Rashad he does NOT deserve a title shot. He’s at least 2 wins away. Two BIG wins.

by flyingknees on Aug 27, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If he was 30, I would agree, but they need to exploit the draw of an aging fighter as soon and as often as possible.

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

by BJJDenver on Aug 27, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

… you might not think he’ll deserve the shot, but he’s definitely not going to need two more big wins to get the shot. If he wins this fight, he’ll get the shot.

by Kierkegaard on Aug 27, 2008 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Machida, but I want to see him beat a top contender before he gets a title shot.

As for Chuck, I’m only surprised he hasn’t already gotten a shot. I honestly think the Rashad fight is tailor made for Chuck, and then he would be poised to regain the title. I wouldn;t be surprised to see his first defense, then be against Wandy or Anderson.

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

by BJJDenver on Aug 27, 2008 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the first defense, if Chuck won, would be against Jackson. Maybe Jackson/Machida in the spring to determine the number one contender? Who knows. I agree Machida needs a win over a top 5 guy for a shot.

by Michael Rome on Aug 27, 2008 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs