Chuck Lidell washed up?

[flobot]

Let's face the facts. He's too slow now for his style.

Chuck fights w/ his hands mid-level (Chest-Hips) area all the time. Wide open in the head. He could get away from it before because he had quick footwork and an incredible sense of distance and timing.

As of late however, he's become much slower and he looks sluggish. His head is Always open and he only raises his hands against flurries. The problem is that he's always open to one-shot KO hits. And all those hits to the head are having some long-term effect too. Have you guys heard any of his interviews? He talks weird nowadays. He slurs and mumbles his words all the time.

In my personal opinion he should learn to box properly and start getting some physical defense (Ie. boxing basics...KEEP YOUR HANDS UP GODDAMNIT.) in his striking game. I cringe everytime I see him circling his opponent w/ his hands around his chest/hips area. I'm just waiting for that hook that'll put him out.

His style was unique and it worked for him in his prime but it's really time to change and accept the fact that he's not as fast or as agile as he once was.

His career is starting to go the way of Ken Shamrock's. If he could win one more big one and retire IMHO that's ideal.

[aquanutz]

He fights like his damn spine is fused together. His movements are broadcasted from outer space. He will probably be relegated to being the gatekeeper of the 205lbs division if he should continue to fight.

Don't you dare blaspheme against Ken Shamrock! He is the most dangerous man in the world, did you know that?

[Rodja]

He's far from washed up, but he needs to diversify his training. The game is evolving rapidly, but Chuck is still using the same methods from 5-7 years ago. He is the same guy every fight, which is making him predictable. If he used his wrestling more, then that would really help him to diversify his game (e.g. Vs Wand).

[TripDog]

He needs to come to terms that he's just a drunk now, and his conditioning sucks. Hang up the gloves chuck! All of his recent fights have been boring as hell....nothing special AT ALL! I'm glad he beat that homo wandi tho.

[DaTruthMMA]

Liddel is at his prime and although he suffered a devastating loss to Evans it in no way means that he is washed up. Seems as if ppl forgot about his dominance over Wand and keep in my mind that Liddell was fighting similar to how he fought Evans the only difference was that Evans was being elusive and Wand was going straight at Liddell.

Anyway, I am sure that Hackleman will bring in good boxing coaches to train Liddell and I'm certain that we will see a new Liddell when he fights again.

[aquanutz]

His prime? I disagree. I would say his prime was when he beat Overeem and Mezger in Pride.

His fight with Wand was a great fight for both fighters but I think if they fought again, Wand would take it.

Like others have said, he needs to incorporate his wrestling more and bring back some low kicks... ALSO TO KEEP HIS DAMN HANDS UP! He can't keep relying on his knockout power anymore.

[jas123]

He's far from washed up, but he needs to diversify his training. The game is evolving rapidly, but Chuck is still using the same methods from 5-7 years ago. He is the same guy every fight, which is making him predictable. If he used his wrestling more, then that would really help him to diversify his game (e.g. Vs Wand).

Pretty much. That and the fact that he was overrated at his "peak". He was always good, but most of us knew he would struggle against good strikers. He built his rep taking out grappling-based fighters which he matches up amazingly well against, but you could see him struggle against guys like Overeem, Mezger, and Page (first fight) even when he won the first 2 mentioned.

It seems like he might have lost a little snap his punches, though. He caught Wand on the chin many times and couldn't drop him, and he caught Jardine fairly cleanly as well.

Anyway, he could be a top 10, maybe top 5 guy again for a few years if he evolves and gets a better camp or brings new blood in.

[jas123]

He needs to come to terms that he's just a drunk now, and his conditioning sucks. Hang up the gloves chuck! All of his recent fights have been boring as hell....nothing special AT ALL! I'm glad he beat that homo wandi tho.

His fight against Wand was boring? That was a complete classic. Round 2 was simply amazing.

[Rodja]

His fight against Wand was boring? That was a complete classic. Round 2 was simply amazing.

I guess his rationale is that it's boring if Chuck does not KO someone. He hasn't really used his kicks since he had foot surgery after the 3rd Couture fight.

[jas123]

It seems like he dropped kicks from his game when training for all the grapplers which makes sense, but then never put them back in after.

[aquanutz]

His fight against Wand was boring? That was a complete classic. Round 2 was simply amazing.

I was screaming the entire time. It was an awesome fight. It's the only UFC even I've ever payed for.
:bruce3:

[VolcomX311]

That was a great fight, but also a horrible memory because it pissed me off when Liddell pulled it off.

[robdog]

His prime? I disagree. I would say his prime was when he beat Overeem and Mezger in Pride.

His fight with Wand was a great fight for both fighters but I think if they fought again, Wand would take it.

Like others have said, he needs to incorporate his wrestling more and bring back some low kicks... ALSO TO KEEP HIS DAMN HANDS UP! He can't keep relying on his knockout power anymore.

His prime came later. It lasted from when he beat couture in their 2nd fight to when he lost to Rampage in their second fight.

[flobot]

So who do you guys think Chuck's next fight is? I wonder if he even deserves his paycheck anymore..

BTW I read from fightsport magazine that Tim Sylvia was paid something like 25 grand a SECOND to fight in the Affliction: Banned event. If every fighter was paid like that man! I'd jump in the ring w/ someone 40 lbs. over me and start runnin around gaining money PER SECOND haha.

[somewhatgifted]

He's been a one trick pony for far too long the game has grown and diversified and chuck hasnt. like rodja said. The ole bait and punch tactic is his bread and butter and now he may want to consider doing something else. As long as he wants to keep going there will be a fight for chuck liddel and he has hand power that wont change much but guys arent going to trade with him every fight.

[SpargelJanusz]

A good threat, an interesting question. I think for sure is that Dana White won't let Chuck fall like a hot potato, as opposed to say Houston Alexander, whose career is now very prolly over (in the UFC).

I remember how Rogan said that Silva was the ideal opponent for the potbellied one, it seems as soon as the opponent is not so ideal anymore, Chuck runs into trouble.

It might be damn difficult for Chuck to realize that guys like Machida or Evans, and certainly Jackson can only give him Liddell, eh, I mean, hell.

[Emerge]

If he changes his strategies and adds more to his repertoire, I think he can keep fighting. But, he is pretty old already to start new things and because he has had so much success with his style now, I doubt he will be able to do it.

Personally, I think he should fight a couple of more fights and retire. He should only fight people he can beat though, lol because he is getting hurt pretty bad.

[SpargelJanusz]

Now that you write Emerge, I realize how much damage Chuck might take - maybe more than even he can bear.

For me, the single Evans straight jab basically shattered the whole Liddell myth.

[Emerge]

I saw his kryptonie in rampage I, rampage II solidified it for me.

Evans was just sad. Lol, I thought evans would eventually take him down and beat him by decision. I was actually cheering for chuck that fight, first time ever.

[flobot]

I wonder if Chuck'll ever get to fight Anderson Silva. That guy is the real pitbull. Lanky, looks weak, looks like a nice guy...but man does he remind me of Tekken or what...

However..I'd pay more to see GSP vs. Anderson Silva than Lidell vs. Silva. GSP & Silva remind me of video game characters that can do 10 hit combos.

(And watch how Silva attacks when he's got his opponent cornered/hurt...doesn't it somewhat remind you Jin's movements from Tekken? Left right backfist lowkick right etc.)