© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
Coming off straight wins against Tito Ortiz and Vernon White, Chuck Liddell is now going for the hat trick when he takes on world light-heavyweight champion, Randy Couture, at UFC 52 on April 16.
And Chuck says he's in superb condition for the long-awaited rematch: "I'm feeling good. I'm really healthy and getting in great shape. My weight's down pretty good, and I started training a little earlier than I usually do," says Liddell.
When Chuck last fought Randy at UFC 43: Meltdown on June 6, 2003, Liddell seemed more focused on his next anticipated match against Tito Ortiz, and suffered a loss to Couture. This time Chuck says he's only been concentrating on one thing leading up to his rematch with Randy: getting the light-heavyweight belt.
"That's all I've been focusing on. I've wanted this rematch for a long time. Our last fight was years ago, so I've been waiting a long time for this. This should have happened in April, last year, but that freak accident with Randy vs Vitor – that weird cut, that meant they had to have a rematch first, and it put things back a little."
Chuck is confident the Liddell vs Couture II showdown will not be a repeat of their earlier fight and feels he is in much better shape for this meeting. A marked improvement in Chuck's fitness was evident in his bouts with Ortiz and White, after Liddell took on new fitness and strength trainer Tom Tom (Tom Fries).
"I think I didn't wrestle enough for Randy before. I believe that contributed to my getting tired. My cardio was not up to what it should have been. Tom Tom (see knucklepit article) and I had only just started training together, and we were getting used to how he trained and how I trained. But we've got everything down now.
"I've changed my training a little and I've put my wrestling and striking together better. Like I said, we've got the training down more for this fight after changing my strength and conditioning coaches – a little bit of everything. That's my goal: always getting a little better every time we go out there."
Having delivered some of the biggest hits in Octagon history, Chuck is featured on the DVDs Ultimate Knockouts 1 against Kevin Randleman and Ultimate Knockouts 3 against Renato Sobral. But Liddell regards his best MMA knockouts of all time to have been in two other matches. "There was one in an IFC fight where I knocked a kid (Steve Heath) out with a kick to the head and he dropped straight forward. That was pretty sick. And the other was the Guy Mezger one that happened in PRIDE with the short, right hand."
For Ultimate Knockouts 2, Chuck features as a co-commentator and does an outstanding job, providing valuable information for fight fans, and sharing a different view of the footage from the perspective of one of MMA's greatest ever combatants.
Chuck, you obviously contributed a lot to the second DVD's presentation. Would you consider becoming involved in that kind of work, later, when you retire?
"Well, I don't know about that. We'll see. I'll look into anything that can keep me in the sport when I'm ready to retire…Anything that can help the sport to progress, I want to do."
What did you think about your state of California passing the vote to sanction the sport of Mixed Martial Arts there?
"I think it's long overdue. And it's going to be nice to fight in my own state again."
Is there anything you'd like to add, Chuck?
"Not necessarily. Just watch the fight, man. It should be a really good fight."
Sponsors?
"Definitely Cobb 28, Tap Out, and Sinister Clothing. We're working on a couple of other ones, but those are the ones that have sponsored me for a while."
Liddell's Fight Training:
Courtesy of www.iceman.tv
Chuck ideally begins to train for his fights eight weeks prior to their scheduled occurrence. A typical week of fight training encompasses the following training over a six-day period: 1.) Striking: Chuck works on striking with punches, kicks, knees, and elbows four times per week; 2) Wrestling: Chuck wrestles 3 times per week: 3.) Takedowns: Chuck works solely on "takedowns" twice a week; 4.) Conditioning/Cardio: Chuck conditions five times per week by running sprints; jogging; running hills, stairs, or sand dunes; and swimming; 5.) Strength training: Chuck performs a high repetition weight workout three times per week; 6.) Ju-jitsu: finally Chuck trains in Brazilian Ju-jitsu three times per week.
For more on Chuck Liddell and his merchandise – www.iceman.tv
For more on UFC 52 – www.ufc.tv.
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