Light Heavyweight bout: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua defeated Chuck Liddell via TKO (strikes) at 4:28 of round 1.
Mauricio Rua was awarded a $70,000 bonus for Knockout of the Night.
Light Heavyweight bout: Mauricio “Shogun” Rua defeated Chuck Liddell via TKO (strikes) at 4:28 of round 1.
Mauricio Rua was awarded a $70,000 bonus for Knockout of the Night.
I picked Chuck Liddell to defeat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by 2nd round tko
Obviously its a shame that we couldn’t see these two fight at their primes. Chuck really looked old in this fight, between his belly hanging out, the way he started limping pretty quickly from the leg kicks and his non-existent defense.
This fight reminded me of Frank Shamrock’s recent loss to Nick Diaz, with Shamrock and Liddell both great in their time, but their current status unknown. And both with earnings way beyond what their skills and status can justify. Like Shamrock, does it make sense for Chuck to keep fighting up and comers? Will that gatekeeper position justify his earnings? And even so, how long can he maintain that position? I would like to see Chuck fight people like Cane, because their styles are somewhat similar. I rematch with Babalu or Tito has some appeal, which is sad, since the appeal is predicated on Chuck’s dimishing speed, power and especially awe.
Meanwhile I would like to see Shogun rematch Rampage and Griffin. Fights with Jardine and Henderson also interest me.
R:3+ A:3 S:3 T:3
Shogun’s win bumps him way up to #5 in the complicated Light Heavyweight rankings.
I picked Chuck Liddell to defeat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by 2nd round tko
Obviously its a shame that we couldn't see these two fight at their primes. Chuck really looked old in this fight, between his belly hanging out, the way he started limping pretty quickly from the leg kicks and his non-existent defense.
This fight reminded me of Frank Shamrock's recent loss to Nick Diaz, with Shamrock and Liddell both great in their time, but their current status unknown. And both with earnings way beyond what their skills and status can justify. Like Shamrock, does it make sense for Chuck to keep fighting up and comers? Will that gatekeeper position justify his earnings? And even so, how long can he maintain that position? I would like to see Chuck fight people like Cane, because their styles are somewhat similar. I rematch with Babalu or Tito has some appeal, which is sad, since the appeal is predicated on Chuck's dimishing speed, power and especially awe.
Meanwhile I would like to see Shogun rematch Rampage and Griffin. Fights with Jardine and Henderson also interest me.
R:3+ A:3 S:3 T:3