CHUCK LIDDELL: TIME FOR A CHANGE ICEMAN

UFC 88 was an interesting card in my book with lots of fighters showing their prowess by annihilating their opponents through tactical striking and imposing there will. None will get the attention they may deserve because the main event overshadowed anything else that night when Rashaad "Sugar" Evans knocked out Chuck "Iceman" Liddell with a huge over hand right.

The Iceman fell to his own trade mark punch as he attempted a right uppercut, Evans was faster and connected clean on Chucks left cheek and knocked him out cold. I wasn't prepared to see the Iceman out cold worse than when Rampage KOed him. Mostly because I didn't think Rashad had that kind of power but, when you don't see it coming it doesn't matter.

Now I will take nothing away from Evans who moved very well, looked very dynamic and won in startling fashion. He has come a long way and looked phenomenal on Saturday night. Evans trainer Greg Jackson had a great plan for Keith Jardine when he fought Chuck and, the same seemed to be true for Evans.

That being said the sad thing is Chuck had opportunities to win that fight. Utilizing tools that are well within his repertoire but, seldom seen.

Prime example is the Iceman legendary take down defense. He was a division one wrestler and has BJJ skills, he uses this knowledge and skill to keep him on his feet where he can land his big right hand.

The only time he showed diversity and a willingness to use that side of his game was against Wanderlai Silva. He actually shot in for a take down and got it no problem, striking with a diverse range of punches and kicks. I believe if he fought like this regularly the Iceman would still be a force to be reckoned with. But he instead relied on his favorite weapon the well known and feared right hand.  A lot of the Icemans dominance was due to fear of that striking that made him UFC LHW champion which worked well for years.

Now though he is still respected for it , his loose hands down style benefits him more when some one is shy about trading. Apparently no one is afraid to trade with him these days at least not enough for him to impose himself the way he once did.

So what do I think could have changed the outcome?

As I said diversity. By now everyone fighting Chuck knows about the right hand and formulates their tactics based on avoiding and neutralizing it. Keith
Jardine implemented a strategy of lead leg kicks to hinder Liddells ability to plant on his lead leg and drop his right hand.

Frankly the right hand is all the Iceman gives anyone to worry about these days. He stalked Evans with it cocked ready to unload in predictable fashion, his greatest weapon has become his greatest liability.

So what if he actually tried to mix it up and take Evans down, most likely he would have succeeded a few times because honestly who would see it coming? Liddell also know for his great kickboxing abilities barely mixes in kicks at all anymore.  Evans chose to engage a stand up battle rather then test the take down defense.  Ironic considering until Rampage KOed him most tried to get him down seeing it as the only way to victory. He can be deadly in the clinch as with Couture in there last two bouts which Liddell won by KO.

These tools are all there as his disposal but unless he is willing to use them he will continue to lose against opponents that know his game.  I think a record of 1-3 in his last 4 shows this to be true. I won't say he is done but unless he is willing to expand and force his opponents guessing giving them more to fear and think about in a fight other than the right hand he may as well hang it up and call it a career.

In closing I will add that the Iceman is one of my favorites and I don't wanna see him go but, he looked like so many other fighters whose style hasn't changed.  When it gets exposed its ugly and I don't wanna see him go out as a stepping stone for up and comers. At this point he is at least 2 fights away from a title if UFC is being generous he is 38 so its now or never.