Earlier this month, MDS wondered if Chuck Liddell's return to the Octagon would be against Anderson Silva in a dream matchup for fans of mixed martial arts. We'll have to wait for that one, though. MMAjunkie reports that it was discussed but Liddell will be meeting Rashad Evans in the main event of UFC's first trip to Atlanta instead. Liddell was supposed to meet Evans, replacing Shogun Rua, at UFC 85 in London but the Iceman's hamstring wasn't fit enough to allow him to fight. The fight will take place on September 9th, more than nine months after Liddell's victory over Wanderlei Silva. The combination of Liddell's injury, layoff and age is troublesome but Evans has been idle even longer.
He beat Michael Bisping last November in a battle of Ultimate Fighter winners to remain undefeated but hasn't fought since then. After Liddell had to be scratched, James Irvin replaced him but he too went down to injury. That's halted the rapid rise of Evans to the light heavyweight elite but a win over Liddell would have him right back on track.
Liddell-Evans is a fine fight but Liddell-Silva would have been one of the biggest fights ever. Here's hoping that Silva makes the move up in class sooner rather than later. He's beaten every top contender in UFC's middleweight division and beaten them badly. There are a bunch of tasty fights among light heavyweights, though, so let's cross our fingers that he'll be there soon.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-17-2008 @ 9:24PM
Steviecool said...
I never really cared for Rashad Evans' fights. They tend to be long, drawn out, boring matches. I don't know that he has ever KO'd anyone.
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6-29-2008 @ 9:30AM
ronnie said...
IV'E NEVER LIKED TO WATCH RASHAD EVANS FIGHT EITHER..HE IS THE MOST BORING GUY IN THE UFC,I SPEAK FOR ALL OF MY FRIENDS ON THIS.. HE LIKES TO LAY ON HIS OPPONENT DURING THE GROUND FIGHTING..I THINK CHUCK LIDDELL WILL GIVE HIM THE NASTY KNOCKOUT HE HAS COMING IN ATLANTA..YES, RASHAD HAS KO'd A FIGHTER.. WITH A HIGH KICK,BUT THEN CONTINUED TO PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE WITH HIM LAYING ON THE MAT KNOCKED OUT...YOU COULD SEE THE GUY WAS ALREADY OUT!!I HOPE CHUCK GIVES HIM WHAT HE DESERVES THIS ROUND..
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7-01-2008 @ 2:18PM
nic said...
Are you guys serious?! Evans is one of the most exciting light heavyweights in the UFC. Never knocked anyone out?! You guys must be like 7 or something. Or perhaps you've never actually seen him fight?!!! Punched someone after they were out? The ref wouldn't allow that. With that particular high kick, he knocked dude cold, and that was that. What's with the lies & distortions? AGain, you guys must've never actually seen the dude fight...he's gonna serve Lidell...what are you gonna say then?
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7-03-2008 @ 11:27PM
PB&J said...
Liddell should win this fight. If he actually loses to Evans then something has really gone wrong with him, the fact that he lost to Rampage is not particulrly odd, the fact that he lost to jardine is. Does anyone really think there would be a serious debate of whether Evans might beat Liddell before he lost his title? He has just not been himself lately for whatever reason. I really hope that he is not fazing out of his prime although I have started to wonder if that always has to be the case, since Randy appears to be in his prime all over again at 44, which makes the term "prime" seem a bit mysterious, either that or it makes Randy a bit mysterious. He is anomaly to the whole notion.
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7-05-2008 @ 2:35PM
PIT BULL CAFE said...
CHUCK LIDDELL IS GOING TO KNOCK OUT THE EVER SO BORING EVANS IT WILL BE A VINTAGE ICEMAN KNOCK OUT pit bull cafe.com
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7-06-2008 @ 10:40AM
Daniel Morales said...
Everyone at Pit Bull Caf'e...Drugs are bad , Umkay!
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7-07-2008 @ 11:41AM
Daniel said...
You are high if you think Evans will ever be able to take down Chuck and if he does Chuck will stand back up within 30 secs. Chuck as one of the best tack down defenses in the game. Look Evans went to a draw with Tito, Chuck killed Tito both times. Yes yes I know it is a different match up and anything can happen however, Chuck has the wrestlers and ground and pounds fighters numbers and Evans will be knocked out and I would be surprised if it went pass 2 rounds. Chuck will out class Evans. The old Chuck it back, look into his eyes vs Silva, that is the most intense I have ever seen anyone.
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