theragingbull
08-27-2006, 01:25 PM
Liddell punches in and out in impressive fashion
UFC 61 showcases precision punching
By The Raging Bull
It only takes ninety-five seconds to make history. At UFC 62, light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell made history in more ways than one. Despite once again turning Renato “Babalu” Sobral into a highlight for the UFC’s next installment of Ultimate Knockouts, the San Luis Obispo kick boxer reached a landmark 14th UFC victory.
The sold-out arena was clearly behind “the Iceman.” Babalu did not seem fazed by the crowd or even his opponent – at least during the pre-fight stare down. The demonic demeanor of the Brazilian displayed his hunger for an eleventh victory in a row. It displayed his hunger for the title; however, his aggressive game plan against the counter-punching Liddell proved to be ineffective. Ninety-five seconds is all it takes to make history.
Liddell invited his fans to party now that his schedule suddenly opened up. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan quickly brought the post-fight interview to the most compelling topic in the world of Mixed Martial Arts today: will Chuck Liddell fight Wanderlei Silva? The question remained unanswered, but Liddell calmly expressed that he would fight “the Axe Murderer,” who is the Pride Fighting Championships 205 pound champion. Liddell says he will knock him out.
Silva is no slouch with a record of 31-5-1 yet he is just one of many worries for Liddell. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz quickly stepped into the world-famous octagon to make his plans for a fight with Liddell known. Ortiz was knocked out by the Iceman at UFC 47, but has since gone undefeated in his next four fights in the octagon. If Ortiz can dispose of his arch nemesis Ken Shamrock on October 10th, he will be one-step away from regaining his gold. Unfortunately for Ortiz and all other 205 pounders, Chuck Liddell’s fist is the step between them and gold. The UFC title hunt is heating up in all divisions.
The co-main event featured a rematch between light heavyweights Forrest Griffin and “The American Psycho” Stephen Bonnar. The fight resembled a crisp and less-bloody version of their first epic war. It was by no stretch a disappointment, but fans still jeered. Griffin took a unanimous decision and is now seen as the favorite for a title shot behind Tito Ortiz.
The return of Stockton, California’s Nick Diaz to the octagon proved to be a triumphant one. After losing his last three UFC fights by decision to top-tier opponents, the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter made Militech Fighting Systems ace Josh Neer look like a lost little boy. Diaz backed up his remark that he was “unimpressed” with Neer. Neer threw one inaccurate haymaker for every fifty of Diaz’s punches landed. Diaz employed every knee, leg, fist, and elbow effectively before taking it to his home – the ground – and applying a kimura for a third round victory.
The night was a strong recovery from what many dubbed “the worst UFC pay-per-view in memory” in UFC 61.With three upcoming title fights over the next two pay-per-views, the UFC’s title picture looks promising in each division. The light heavyweight title is still the most sought after. Unfortunately for Chuck Liddell, every moment his title stays around his waist is another moment wasted not fighting.
UFC 61 showcases precision punching
By The Raging Bull
It only takes ninety-five seconds to make history. At UFC 62, light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell made history in more ways than one. Despite once again turning Renato “Babalu” Sobral into a highlight for the UFC’s next installment of Ultimate Knockouts, the San Luis Obispo kick boxer reached a landmark 14th UFC victory.
The sold-out arena was clearly behind “the Iceman.” Babalu did not seem fazed by the crowd or even his opponent – at least during the pre-fight stare down. The demonic demeanor of the Brazilian displayed his hunger for an eleventh victory in a row. It displayed his hunger for the title; however, his aggressive game plan against the counter-punching Liddell proved to be ineffective. Ninety-five seconds is all it takes to make history.
Liddell invited his fans to party now that his schedule suddenly opened up. UFC color commentator Joe Rogan quickly brought the post-fight interview to the most compelling topic in the world of Mixed Martial Arts today: will Chuck Liddell fight Wanderlei Silva? The question remained unanswered, but Liddell calmly expressed that he would fight “the Axe Murderer,” who is the Pride Fighting Championships 205 pound champion. Liddell says he will knock him out.
Silva is no slouch with a record of 31-5-1 yet he is just one of many worries for Liddell. “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz quickly stepped into the world-famous octagon to make his plans for a fight with Liddell known. Ortiz was knocked out by the Iceman at UFC 47, but has since gone undefeated in his next four fights in the octagon. If Ortiz can dispose of his arch nemesis Ken Shamrock on October 10th, he will be one-step away from regaining his gold. Unfortunately for Ortiz and all other 205 pounders, Chuck Liddell’s fist is the step between them and gold. The UFC title hunt is heating up in all divisions.
The co-main event featured a rematch between light heavyweights Forrest Griffin and “The American Psycho” Stephen Bonnar. The fight resembled a crisp and less-bloody version of their first epic war. It was by no stretch a disappointment, but fans still jeered. Griffin took a unanimous decision and is now seen as the favorite for a title shot behind Tito Ortiz.
The return of Stockton, California’s Nick Diaz to the octagon proved to be a triumphant one. After losing his last three UFC fights by decision to top-tier opponents, the Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter made Militech Fighting Systems ace Josh Neer look like a lost little boy. Diaz backed up his remark that he was “unimpressed” with Neer. Neer threw one inaccurate haymaker for every fifty of Diaz’s punches landed. Diaz employed every knee, leg, fist, and elbow effectively before taking it to his home – the ground – and applying a kimura for a third round victory.
The night was a strong recovery from what many dubbed “the worst UFC pay-per-view in memory” in UFC 61.With three upcoming title fights over the next two pay-per-views, the UFC’s title picture looks promising in each division. The light heavyweight title is still the most sought after. Unfortunately for Chuck Liddell, every moment his title stays around his waist is another moment wasted not fighting.