Key Matchups: "Sugar" Rashad Evans vs Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell

Key Match-ups is a new column that will be reaquiring which will take a look at one or two important fights in every event that is featured in my column What To Look For:

That column took a look at UFC 88 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/47891-what-to-look-for-ufc88 and to me the Rashad Evans vs Chuck Liddell fight is the fight that can determine a lot in the Light Heavyweight division.  The winner will have the first crack at the now Light Heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin. 

A lot of fans have this fight ending rather quickly with the win going to Chuck Liddell by TKO, however for me this fight is a lot closer than most are thinking.  So here are some key points to why MMA fans should see this as a closer fight.

1. Chuck Liddel is an aged fighter.   With in the last year Chuck has really started looking his age.  At soon to be 39 years old we could be looking at the last run of a dominant Chuck Liddell.  His last two fights were wars and I really think that a younger more athletic Rashad Evans could try and stretch him out in order to trier the older fighter.  Look for Rashad to test Chuck's cardio out early and often.
2. The match-up favors Rashad.  We all know that Chuck is a counter puncher with great take down defense.  On the flip side we know that Rashad is a wrestler with good GnP.  However Rashad has shown the ability to use some good head movement to get in for the take down which could be a problem for Chuck.  Chuck like fighters who just go straight in and Rashad isn't that type of fighter.  Rashad's head movement will allow him to get in and out while Chuck swings for the fences.  In Chuck's most recent loss Keith Jardine was able to use his odd in and out movements to confuse and frustrate Chuck.  I think that Rashad will use a similar style to get and try to take Chuck down.
3. Questionable Chins.  Both fighters have a huge question mark when it comes to their ability to take a punch.  Rashad has never really faced a fighter with such devastating one punch knock out power.  The only time I can remember him getting dropped was in a fight with Brad Imes and Imes easily out weighted him by 30 pounds. Chuck has been dropped in each of his last three fight.  Granted all three of those fighters are known as powerful punchers and Rashad has never really showed that ability.  It will be interesting to see who lands the first clean shot, and how it will effect the outcome.
4. Gameplan. Rashad only real advantage over Chuck is that he has one of the most intelligent MMA coaches in his corner in Greg Jackson.  Jackson will not only have Rashad in top physical shape, but will have the correct formula to beat Liddell.  Trust that Keith Jardine will give Rashad every ounce of inside information to help Rashad win.

This fight will be a very good match-up and as I've stated before I still think that Chuck should win this fight.  I just believe that it's closer then most MMA fans are saying.  At UFC 88 we will see if Chuck Liddell still has it in him to make one more run, or if Rashad Evans will upset the UFC most famous fighter.