Brandon Vera says Chuck Liddell is a step down:
When asked on Friday whether or not "The Iceman" now represents a step down in competition, Vera answered bluntly during a Q&A session.
"Yes," said Vera, "I’m not lying. I would much rather fight somebody I’m supposed to lose to."
"I’m asking for the number three spot," Vera said. "I don’t give a damn who’s at number three. I can’t ask for number one, and I can’t ask for number two. That’s Machida and ‘Shogun.’ You’ve got to climb the ladder."
about 2 years ago
Nick Thomas
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While Chuck is well past his prime, I wouldn’t bet on Vera in that fight given his recent string of performances. I’m not so sure he’d be able to beat Chuck, especially if Chuck turned on his wrestling game
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Even though Randy couldn't outwrestle him?
And Chuck hasn’t beaten a good striker other than Wanderlei and Vitor, while losing to Jardine, Rampage 2x, Rashad, and Shogun. He’d get leg kicked from the outside all day. It would be a more competitive looking version of the K-Sos fight.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Feb 10, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Liddell and Randy have different wrestling styles. I think Chuck’s would be far more effective against Vera than Couture’s was.
When is the last time Vera has looked impressive? I’m not saying he couldn’t beat Chuck. He very well could since Chuck’s chin is shot. But I think if Chuck fought smart and has truly fixed some of his defense problems I could see him beating Vera. I’m hinging this opinion more on the fact Vera can’t pull the trigger and look pretty bad at LHW.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Incorrect
Randy started out as a Folk-Style wrestler, which is what Chuck is. He just excelled at Greco-Roman.
Randy utilizes the clinch mainly for his takedowns while Chuck has a tendency to shoot
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Tendency?
He got three TD’s vs. WAND, I can’t remember him taking an opponent down before that. So while he is a wrestler, it’s more defensive than anything, "Sprawl and Brawl", so no he doesn’t have a tendency to shoot.
Can't remember any other takedowns?
You start watching Liddell in 06 or something?
Enlighten me then
Cause all I can recollect Chuck taking down is Wand and Vernon White. Randy and Ubereem were both able to stuff his TD, I’ll have to re-watch more fights to offer more info.
KTHXBAI!
You start watching Liddell in 06 or something?
Sounding like a stalker bro, it’s MMA, not Liddell, no matter how strongly you feel about him.
Overeem and White were the two that
really stuck out the most in my mind. But that alone is enough to show that Liddell uses takedowns any time he fights strikers.
Coincidentally, throw the Mezger fight in there and that is also enough to prove Liddell was weak to strikers his whole career, and why the UFC opted to send grappler after grappler his way. Overeem wasn’t even close to a top ten fighter then and was a journeymen at best in pride, losing seven fights in a two year span at one point, and he hurt Liddell and landed some good shots, and Tiger was a bum brought in for fodder for Liddell and despite taking a beating, he landed nicely on Liddell as well.
Liddell is the GOAT thanks to favorable matchmaking and the status of the division in the UFC. Vera would have amputated his legs with kicks.
The UFC
didn’t have anyone else to feed to Chuck. He literally beat everyone.
Where did I say Chuck always uses the takedown? Go back and read my earlier post. I clearly stated that IF Chuck turned on his wrestling game it could be very effective. I never once said he goes out there and constantly goes for the takedown in his fights.
But when he does use his wrestling it’s effective. He does tend to shoot in instead of clinching as Randy does. Unfortunately Chuck doesn’t really use it offensively much. As you said, he uses it more for his famous sprawl.
I think he would fair pretty good against Vera if he used his wrestling. It’s a weapon he doesn’t use enough.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
Again where did I say Chuck always uses the takedown?
You tried to compare Chuck and Randy’s wrestling when it came to a fight with Vera out and I pointed out that when Chuck does go for a takedown, he tends to shoot in rather than try to use the clinch as Randy often does. I’ve already noted that Chuck doesn’t use his offensive wrestling enough.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" - Philippians 4:13
I think Chuck has only shot once against Wandy and once against Shogun in his last bunch of fights. Chuck doesn’t use his wrestling as an offensive weapon; he uses it defensively to sprawl or get back to his feet. That was his schtick for years: A wrestler who couldn’t be taken down or kept down that could knock you out.
You have to be the man... you have to be very, like, alpha male with her. You know? Decide what you do and everything. So, show her who's the boss, you know? - GSP
all this talk isn’t gonna mean a thing when bones gets done with him.
by woooburn on Feb 10, 2010 1:58 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Fuck yeah
“all this talk isn’t gonna mean a thing when bones gets done with him”
QFT
certified warlord
Last fought #11, signed to fight #14
fighting #17 would be a step down.
How is this a controversial statement?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I was referring to his number 3 request. There are way more guys that should get it before him.
by MMAInFeRioRiTy on Feb 10, 2010 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
This says it all..
that statement wasn’t even controversial AT ALL… he wasn’t even disrespecting Chuck, who Vera has said numerous times, is a guy he really looks up to.
by Anton Tabuena on Feb 11, 2010 3:33 AM EST up reply actions
Beat a 46 year old before talking about moving up the ladder
by HighNoon on Feb 10, 2010 2:05 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Don't tell me
that you watched that fight and actually thought Couture deserved the W.
by CSKit on Feb 10, 2010 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Tendency?
He got three TD’s vs. WAND, I can’t remember him taking an opponent down before that. So while he is a wrestler, it’s more defensive than anything, “Sprawl and Brawl”, so no he doesn’t have a tendency to shoot.
Ya Chuck has takedowns in many fights with strikers
I know UFC unleashed doesn’t show a lot of his older fights, but there is more to Liddell than two Couture, Babalu and Ortiz beat downs.
I hate Vera, but he won that fight. Its not like it matters that much though, we have no real idea of where Randy stands in the light heavyweight division. Neither Vera nor Randy have fought anybody who matters at 205. That’s why I thought matching Vera up with Bones was a bad idea. If Jones wins its unclear what it will really do for his ranking. Too much risk, not enough reward.
The man known simply as "Christmas Cheesesteak"
who cares about the decision, we all know who won that fight!
dont know how anyone could think Randy won that fight, especially when he didnt even FIGHT..
by ThereWlLLbeBlood on Feb 10, 2010 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
If Vera can finish Jones then I will believe this guy’s career still has a pulse. I am not holding my breath.
Vera may have gotten close to his wish and not realized it, as Jon Jones could very well be a Top 4 LHW in the UFC.
Vera will be lucky to get a matchup as good as Liddell after Bones gets done with him.
Don’t be so quick to write off Vera, he matches up very will against Jones. Both have very good wrestling, are tall w/ long limbs. Vera has a big edge in BJJ and I would give him the advantage in striking.
I think the fight will be almost 100% standing at range, where I give the edge to Vera. It will probably be a decision (29-28 or 30-27) with all three rounds being close.
This is correct. It’s a good test for both guys and if either of them steamrolls the other it will say a lot.
by HarmlessNinja on Feb 10, 2010 3:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
With Jones so good in the clinch, I cannot imagine he doesn’t force the clinch if he’s getting the worst of the standup. And for all of Vera’s BJJ prowess, he does not want to be on his back playing guard if/when Jones takes him down.
I think it is unlikely Jones will be able to take Vera down for more than a few moments at best. Vera is a more accomplished greco-roman wrestler than Jones and aside from mounting Hamill (after he sustained a broken shoulder) Jones hasn’t been all that impressive from the top.
Yes, Vera has some obscure Greco credentials years ago, but not much evidence in his UFC career that he can hold off Jones. Jones was a JUCO national champ and then decided to start his MMA career rather than take a wrestling scholly to Iowa St. Jones gets his wrestling shortchanged in every fight, and then he surprises people.
Heck, Jardine took Vera down in their fight. Vera may scramble back to his feet, or Jones may keep him there and pummel Vera with elbows. I’d wager Jones will be the more improved guy from the last fight when comparing these 2 competitors.
He didn't let Couture get much offense going
so his greco is legit, but Bones is a monster and everything Vera was and should have been before his lay off.
Vera 2.0
Bones by videogame spin kick
While Vera has underachieved lately
In 06 when Vera was on his tear, he would have mauled Chuck Liddell. No one wants to admit it, but Vera is a horrific match up for Liddell.
This would have been like the Jardine fight, but worse for the Iceman.
he’s a bad matchup for a ton of guys… if he fights to his full potential. which, unfortunately, hasn’t been the case lately. plus, he seemed somewhat intimidated by fighting a legend (in randy), so i would imagine the same would be true against chuck.
Vera has always been chomping at the bit
to fight Liddell, like a lot of middle of the pack 205’rs that are primarily strikers or have decent striking skills, they saw all the weeknesses in his style that Jardine and others exploited.
A little off topic but..
I saw Vera and his wife at 109 and dayum she is smoking hot in person.. Didnt think she was all that when she fought Couture.
by TennesseeTopTeam on Feb 10, 2010 5:13 PM EST reply actions
Generally when you lose to #11, they’re not chomping at the bit to give you a #3 fight.
That said, maybe if there’s an injury Vera’ll get his shot and be thrown in there on short notice
Randy is top five
If you ask Dana. I am sure the UFC all but ignores these rankings.
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