CHUCK LIDDELL
UFC HALL OF FAME & MMA LEGEND
MMA and the UFC would not be what it is today without the raw talent of Chuck Liddell. Commentators and critics have singled Liddell out as one of the fighters who have brought these fighting genres into mainstream American sports.
Born December 17, 1969, in Santa Barbara, California, Liddell was raised by his single mother and maternal grandmother. From a young age he was exposed to various boxing techniques. Liddell’s physical aptitude was not limited to the ring. He played high-school football as a center and linebacker and also excelled at college wrestling. While at California Polytechnic State University, Liddell became a Division I wrestler and graduated with a BA in Business/Accounting in 1995. Honing these skills led Liddell on the path to becoming a UFC Hall of Fame recipient and MMA legend.
RISE TO FAME
Chuck Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998. He began a rapid rise to fame by defeating many opponents including Brazilian Jose “Pele” Landi-Johns in a bare-knuckle fight in Landi-Johns native country.
Liddell drew on his extensive fighting knowledge of Koei-Kan Karate, Hawaiian Kempo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and wrestling to claim a series of victories. Liddell’s experience prepared him for his knock out fight against Kevin Randleman at UFC 31 in 2004. While Liddell’s KO victory against Randleman made him a household name, it was his win against Randy Couture that landed him the title of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and cemented his stardom.
Liddell remained the UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion for two years during which he defended his title five times. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2009.