Chuck Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva: Bet on the Iceman

Steve Viezel sizes up the looming showdown between Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva.

by Steve Viezel (Scribe)

11

2664 reads

Sports

December 24, 2007

MMA, Chuck Liddell, UFC
IconOn December 29th, the most anticipated match in Mixed Martial Arts history will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

UFC fans have been waiting to see Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva go at it since Dana White first announced the fight would happen at UFC 62. Now it's finally time.

The fans are so excited to because the fighters' styles are the same—they like to stand and bang with their opponents, which almost always makes for an exciting fight.

The Liddell-Silva fight could well be a thriller, but there's also a good chance it could be a first-round knockout. Silva is a straight-ahead fighter who isn't scared to mix it up—but as you can tell from his last two fights, that plan can often backfire.

That's why I would give the edge to Liddell in this one.

Liddell is more of a counter fighter—he likes to sit back and wait for his opponent to open up. I expect an overexcited Silva to come straight in at Liddell before getting caught and going down.

A lot of people are talking about how Silva beat Quinton Jackson, and how Liddell struggles with Rampage. But in the last fight between Liddell and Rampage, Liddell only got knocked out because of a stupid mistake—he came in and tried a lead punch to the body, and Rampage capitalized by landing a nice left hook.

I can guarantee Liddell won't make that same mistake in this fight.

All told, this is a do-or-die matchup, as both men are coming off two losses in a row and will be exceptionally hungry for the win. I for one can't wait to see it.

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comments (11) write a comment »

  1. it would seem that people are not taking into account the fighters that have beat chuck. randy, keith, quinton, and jeremy horn. granted chuck has avenged all loses(except for the most recent jardine), but all of those fighters had the same type of game plan, a good offensive position. randy stalked, quinton took the middle of the octogon, jeremy is ridiculously intelligent, and keith made it clear that giving up is NOT an option. this all leads me to believe that since chuck refuses to change his game plan or even bring in different/better talent to train with, a fighter that is not afraid of chuck will do well. chuck quote: "All these guys come in and change up their training after a win or loss. Why? If it works then why would you change?" heed your own advice chuck. wanderlei is coming for you and he is bringing the type of fight that you have lost to.

    1. I think you are right about the fear factor regarding fighters winning against Liddell, the ones who have beaten him have taken what Chuck dished out and waded right back in there to exchange more big hits.
      Intimidation of opponents fearing his big superman punch seemed to be his biggest strength, when they take the hit and throw back just as hard it's just like kryptonite.

  2. he's never beat rampage... and if you look at all of those loses... other than jardine and the 2nd loss to rampage... they were all a long time ago...

    1. thanks for the fact checking "steve"....

  3. Liddell only got knocked out because of a stupid mistake......Why anybody says that I have no idea Because Rampage knocked him out does that mean he made stupid mistake K.O....No I don't think so He was prepared and threw the punch at the right time and Liddell could have always moved out of the way...........

  4. if you know anything about boxing, what chuck liddell did was a stupid mistake and all boxing instructors will always tell you to never lead with a body punch. rampage read the blow well and capitalized on a mistake by liddell, not saying that rampage was a stupid KO... saying that rampage's training paid off, he saw and opening and took it... but that opening should have never been there

  5. I could have sworn it was a right hook that KO'd Chuck. I could be wrong.

  6. Nope I'm not wrong. Just checked. It was a right hook that put Chuck down.
    I don't think I'll read anymore of your articles. Pretty unprofessional submitting an article with such a glaring mistake.

  7. hahaha... oh no.. you're not going to read my articles... im so sad... haha

  8. I work in the O. R. of a hospital, where decisions that I make are quite literally life and death. In my work if I'm not sure about something, I have make sure. If the doctor gets the wrong instrument or an improperly sterilized one, the patient is in trouble. I guess I shouldn't put my own standards of work on others.
    No I don't write articles. I read them. I was merely stating a fact. I won't be reading yours anymore. I apologise if this hurts your feelings. Thanks for checking though:)

  9. Silva is going to beat Liddell back to the local hardees he works at!

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About the Author Steve Viezel (scribe)

  • 3 articles written
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