© Marc Wickert
www.knucklepit.com
When tickets to Liddell vs Couture III at the MGM went on sale, they sold out in less than a week. Asked if this bout would be the biggest in UFC history thus far, defending Light-Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell replied: "I think its going to be – yes."
This mad scramble for seats to watch two of the Octagons most popular gladiators is also an indication of how rapidly their sport of mixed martial arts is growing. And there are no harder-working advocates for MMA than Chuck and Randy.
The pair continue to take their sport to new heights of public awareness and acceptance. And through their efforts there has been a global warming towards mixed martial arts. Liddell says he is happy with the growth in UFCs popularity.
"Yeah, Im really happy. Theres a much more diverse sector of the community that is now aware of our sport, and aware of who we are. I think its great."
Perhaps the real seal of approval for any major event is indicated when high-profile celebrities start showing up. And there has been no shortage of celebs at Octagon-side. Some 'faces' in the crowd have included Cindy Crawford, Michael-Clarke Duncan, Pamela Anderson, Shaq ONeill, and Ice-T.
At UFC 56, Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones was in attendance. Liddell admits you wouldnt have seen someone from such rock royalty at a UFC fight, say five years ago. "No. And actually, I got him in there. He had a show the night before, and one of his bodyguards is a friend of mine, and he called me to say Ron wanted to go to the UFC. I hooked him up to go. I talked to him afterwards and we hung out a little bit. It was pretty cool."
On February 4, 2006, Chuck and Randy go to war to decide who is the undisputed UFC Light-Heavyweight World Champion. These men are presently one apiece. At UFC 43: Meltdown (June 6, 2003), Couture defeated Liddell by TKO, 2.39 into round three. At Couture vs Liddell II (May 16, 2005), Chuck took revenge against Randy by KO – just 2.06 into round one.
Chuck Liddell vs Jeremy Horn at UFC 54
Prior to Chucks win over Randy, Liddell told knucklepit (Chuck Liddell Part 1): "The thing Randy has going for him is the fact that he is not afraid to get hit." However, Chuck believes Randy could be more apprehensive at their next meeting.
"I think hes going to be a little gun-shy. I think that could be a problem – unless he got over it in training. But he looked a little gun-shy in his last fight. That was against someone (Mike Van Arsdale) whos not much of a striker, but more of a wrestler."
Couture is an athlete known for his outstanding takedowns and wrestling ability. So it is expected he will want to shoot in and fight Liddell on the ground. And after knocking Couture out in their last match, Liddell believes this will have an effect on Randy in their next battle.
"It will do one of two things: It will either make him stay way out, or come in hard. I think Ill be able to catch him on his way in."
Chuck, could fight fans look back on your trilogy with Randy in the same way as, say the Ali vs Frazier fights?
"I think so…I mean were the biggest names in our sport."
Your first and second fights were entirely different. Will Liddell vs Couture III be a completely different chapter again?
"I believe it will be. I think hes going to come out differently, and make it harder for me to catch him. But ultimately, I think its going to be the same result as last time. I mean, Im in great shape, Im just healthy…"
You recently had an acting part in the movie The Death and Life of Bobby Z; was that a big role?
"I had a decent part at the beginning…I get killed early, but there are flashbacks to me. I get quite a few lines in it and Im in a fight scene early on. I play the part of a white supremacist in the pen. It was filmed in Mexico and should be out around the end of August."
On the day of a fight, how long before your bout do you leave for the arena?
"I dont come down till about 6.30pm – after the first couple of fights. If theres a specific fight I want to see, Ill come down earlier."
Do you have a set routine you go through before your fight?
"I watch a few of the fights. I get a little warm-up going, and then I stretch out a bit…"
Do you get nerves – or are you past that?
"No, I dont get nerves. Im relaxed. I worked really hard to get there. My whole thing is – Ive done all my training, working and stuff. By the time I go out there, theres nothing left for me to do. And nothing for me to get nervous about. Theres nothing you can change now. Whatever youve done, youve done. Youre ready to go. Youve got to go out there and perform – thats all.
"Being nervous, all that does is hinder your performance. So why bother?"
This will probably be the loudest crowd ever. When you hear that roar, does it affect you?
"Its loud, and its fun when you come out, but when Im in there, I can hear my corner fine."
Do you get a buzz out of it?
"Yeah, coming out, I do. I know its time to fight, so…"
Will John Hackleman be in your corner?
"Hes my main corner guy. Scott Adams, John Lewis, and my brother Dan will be there too. You get four corner guys for a championship fight, so my brother gets to come in."
Chuck, how are you going to win this fight?
"Itll be by knockout. Im going to knock him out sooner or later. Ill catch him sooner or later, toe-to-toe."
Is there anything youd like to add?
"Id like to say hello to my fans and Ill try to make it an exciting night for them."
Your sponsors?
"Xyience, Cobb 28, Tap Out, and Sinister Clothing."
Chuck Liddell after defending his title against Jeremy Horn
For more on UFC 57: www.ufc.tv.
See www.knucklepit.com for more great mixed martial arts articles.
