This trademark style led to unbelievable knockouts in his early career and a year-long reign as light heavyweight champion.ĭuring this title reign he would successfully defend his title in a revenge bout against Jeremy Horn, a rematch with Randy Couture, one with top contender Renato Sobral, and a grudge match with Tito Ortiz.

Silva lived up to its billing as one of the most relentless and violent encounters ever held in the Octagon.It was his unusual kickboxing style that has been his Achilles heel to an extent.

Goldberg: 'No single person is sitting down here at the Mandalay Bay.' Liddell only truly took over in the final frame of the fight, wobbling Silva badly with a spinning back fist before planting him on his back at the end of the round to seal the deal in the judges' eyes. Both Liddell and Silva walked back to their corners at the close of the round in need of medical attention, but Silva's face displayed more damage. The second round proved to be the most competitive of the fight, as both fighters landed hard combinations while sustaining a considerable amount of damage in the process. 'The Axe Murderer' countered toward the end of the round, but the damage had been done and Liddell walked back to his corner unscathed. He knows this is do or die for a man that was once thought to be the greatest light heavyweight in the game.'īoth fighters gauged distance for the first half of the first round before Liddell started to land hard punching combinations to Silva's face. Rogan: 'He looks very focused, and the word from the training camp is that he's been dialed in for months. His style is probably the most aggressive style I've ever seen in mixed martial arts, and that's why he has such a huge fan following.' Liddell entered next. Rogan: 'One of the most exciting fighters in the history of mixed martial arts. Silva entered the Octagon first to a loud ovation from the crowd in attendance. 'I'm going to go, go, and go, and not stop.'

'If I catch him with something and hurt him a little bit, I'll finish him.' 'I'm not going to give him the opportunity,' Silva responded. 'I want to be the number one guy in the world again,' Liddell said in the pre-fight video package. Although neither of them held a title when they finally met, the show they put on was one of the best of the year, and lived up to years of hype. Prior to their long-overdue meeting in December of 2007, Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva were the most devastating fighters in their respective 205 pound divisions over the previous three years, with Liddell defending the UFC's Light Heavyweight Championship and Silva defending his Pride Middleweight (205 lbs.) Championship.

Chuck liddell the iceman