It's official...Liddell's fighting career is over. To many of us hardcore MMA fans, and even those who began their MMA journey with the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, this news is bitter-sweet. Liddell was an amazing talent, one of the most recognizable stars in the sport, and perhaps the greatest Light Heavyweight champion of all-time. But, as good as he looked early on in his final fight against Rich Franklin, the end result was an increasingly common and down-right disturbing sight of the 'Ice Man' unconscious on the octagon floor. It was time.But as one career ends, another begins. Dana White announced in a press conference (video after the jump) that Chuck Liddell has accepted a position as the new UFC executive vice president of business development. It's hard to say what this means in terms of job responsibility, but I would argue that these details really don't matter very much. I love this move for a number of reasons, none of which depend on Chuck's roles and responsibilities.
First, this ensures that the Hall of Famer ends his career in the UFC. The same cannot be said for other legends of the Octagon like Ken Shamrock and Jens Pulver. Instead, they waste away on lackluster cards of small-time promotions, fighting, one gets the feeling, because they have to. From a business perspective, keeping Liddell's name off of the main event of a competing promotion is also important. The UFC already suffers a bit from being the "Kleenex" of MMA and releasing The Iceman - their most recognizable star - to go elsewhere would just add to the confusion.
Second, it sets a strong precedent that successful UFC fighters can have a future with the organization after their fighting days are over. This sport is unique in that it is so young that many of the original stars are still active as fighters; many of them because they simply did not make the kind of money in the early days of the sport that they can make fighting now. The UFC needs to step up where ever possible and find ways to reward these fighters who helped to make this sport what it is today.
Lastly, Chuck is a great guy and an excellent spokesman for the sport. He is college educated, has a background in traditional martial arts, and has successfully crossed over into mainstream popularity with his unique look and laid back personality. He will represent the UFC well.
Check out a short article by Ariel Helwani and a video of the press conference after the jump.
Second, it sets a strong precedent that successful UFC fighters can have a future with the organization after their fighting days are over. This sport is unique in that it is so young that many of the original stars are still active as fighters; many of them because they simply did not make the kind of money in the early days of the sport that they can make fighting now. The UFC needs to step up where ever possible and find ways to reward these fighters who helped to make this sport what it is today.
Lastly, Chuck is a great guy and an excellent spokesman for the sport. He is college educated, has a background in traditional martial arts, and has successfully crossed over into mainstream popularity with his unique look and laid back personality. He will represent the UFC well.
Check out a short article by Ariel Helwani and a video of the press conference after the jump.
Ariel Helwani
Video Reporter and Writer
Chuck Liddell has officially retired from MMA.
UFC president Dana White announced at Wednesday's UFC 125 press conference in Las Vegas that "The Iceman" was walking away from active competition to accept a position as the new UFC executive vice president of business development.
"I want to thank Frank [Fertitta], Lorenzo [Fertitta] and Dana [White] for everything they've done for me over the years and for the sport. Most of all, I want to thank my fans, my family," Liddell said before choking up.
"I love this sport and I'm excited going into a new stage in my life and keep promoting the best sport in the world and the sport I love. They're giving me the opportunity again to keep promoting and keep doing stuff now that I'm retired."
The 41-year-old Liddell ends his legendary career with a 21-8 record.
He made his MMA and UFC debut at UFC 17 on May 15, 1998, defeating Noe Hernandez via unanimous decision. After losing to Jeremy Horn at UFC 19, Liddell would go on to win his next 10 fights in a row before losing an interim light heavyweight title fight to Randy Couture at UFC 43.
Liddell finally captured the 205-pound title at UFC 52 in April 2005, defeating Couture in the second round. He would successfully defend the title four straight times before losing the belt to Quinton Jackson at UFC 71.
That loss marked the end of Liddell's dominance in the UFC, as he went 1-4 in his next five fights, including losing his most recent three fights in a row. Liddell's last fight will go down as a UFC 115 first round TKO loss to Rich Franklin.
"For the last 10 years, more than 10 years, Chuck Liddell has been more than I can say. All the guys sitting up here, myself, my partners owe a lot to Chuck Liddell. He's been, like I said, more than a friend, more than a fighter, more than a champion," White said.
No exact details were given about Liddell's new position within the company.
"He's on level and on par with all the top executives," White said. "There's about five or six of us, and Chuck Liddell is now one of them."
UFC chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta added that Liddell's stature within the sport will be of great assistance to the UFC's global expansion plans.
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