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[bmore_aki]

Easier said than done...

At this stage of his career, it should go without saying to beat Chuck Liddell, you have to be better than he is. I don't see luck being a big factor in a victory over him. You can either be a better boxing/standup fighter than him (which there aren't many MMA fighters who are) or you have to get him on the ground and take him out of his specialty.

Like I said, there aren't many MMA light-heavies out there who can stand up with the Ice Man. So I'm not even going to fantasize about that one!

First I want to say, I have a background in collegiate wrestling, judo and aikido. So I'm borrowing from those experiences to help guide me on my takedown suggestions.

Obviously Chuck is no slough on the ground, you don't get to this level and not be well-rounded enough to handle yourself in all facets of a fight. But just as his standing skills are far superior to most of his opponents so to can someone's ground game be far superior to his. Its just a fact.

How do you get him on the ground and out of his specialty?

You have two options:

1. Shoot on his legs from mid-range distance or
2. Attempt throws/takedowns from the grapple.

Because of Liddells' ability to sprawl to avoid shot attempts and his ability to counter a shot attempt (wicked counter right uppercut and knees) I'd train more for ankle sweeps on his lead foot. I'd not advice a double leg shot from mid to far range on Liddell, as it can be countered to easily by him.

I believe more success would come from takedowns while grappling. From boxing we know that even the most dangerous puncher can be tied up in a clinch. This tactic was used to prolong a match between Frank Bruno and Mike Tyson (in his prime). Of course Bruno lost cause he didn't have any other choices of attack from the tie-up position. If worked on, it could be utilized in a fight against Liddell just as well.

From the clinch the wrestler has the option of a fireman's carry, a double leg takedown or an ankle pick. The double leg takedown should be followed with a forceful pickup and slam. There are also Greco-Roman throws to be considered. A Judo/Jujitsu practitioner should look for sweeps, trips and hip throws.

Of course if you attempt to clinch and Liddell gets frustrated and attempts his own take down. For a submission guy, this is still ideal. A wrestler who ground and pounds needs to out muscle Chuck and turn the tables without letting him get up.

Either way, taking it to the ground is still the odds-on-favorite strategy to get a win over Liddell. God help the guy who thinks he can slug it out with the Ice Man (ouch Sobral...).

[Afro]

How to beat Chuck.... put him in the ring with Wanderlei Silva THATS HOW!

[AudieMurphy1]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

How to beat Chuck.... put him in the ring with Wanderlei Silva THATS HOW!

[Afro]

Originally Posted by AudieMurphy1

go back to RFnet!

[AudieMurphy1]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

go back to RFnet!

go back to fanpass

[bmore_aki]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

How to beat Chuck.... put him in the ring with Wanderlei Silva THATS HOW!

Now Silva is one of the few light-heavies who striking skills I wouldn't count out in a matchup with Liddell. I was really hoping their fight could have happened as announced...this is a fight that has to happen!

But I'm hard press to say Silva would still win. Sometimes athletes get in a zone...Chuck is in that zone right now. Especially while on his feet with a "puncher's chance".

[steelebone]

It will take someone with good double underhooks. Press him against the cage and underhook and trip. The downside is Chuck will just use the cage and get back up. Also Chuck does expose his back when he does that. Let's not forget Chuck did wrestle division 1. So his wrestling base is solid. Tito has great double unders(although we havn't seen them much recently). He'll have to be patient and move his head and stay out of Chucks range. Easier said than done. If Tito can take the fight deep he'll have a HUGE advantage with his cardio. Chuck doesn't always look in the best of shape.
Number two
A good striker with speed and someone who throws punches in bunches. A good clinch, good knee's,applies pressure and does't let Chuck get off first and who's in good shape. I think I just described a mean brazilian who's name doesn't need to be mentioned. Here's a hint, his initials are W.S

[MMA 4ever]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

How to beat Chuck.... put him in the ring with Wanderlei Silva THATS HOW!

or Shogun... or Lil Nog.

I could see Arona beating him if he could clinch and throw Liddell. From there if he could keep Liddell there he would probably get the gnp decision. Of course he would have to be able to do so in all the rounds.

[Kimuras"R"Us]

"Don't get punched or kicked in the face" is the short answer to this question...

To beat Liddell, you have to have outstanding cardio as everyone has said. You also have to be a ridiculously patient fighter if you aren't a great striker. I'd say the best tactic would be to stick and move, and never rush in. Tito needs to jab A TON, but I don't think he should throw a lot of 1-2's because the second punch of that combo will leave him too open to get KTFO. He needs to jab, and throw a shitload of leg kicks throughout the first round. If he can land a decent amount and weaken Chuck's legs, by round 2 I believe it would frustrating enough that Chuck would rush in. If you can avoid a couple haymakers and shoot in, there's a real good chance for a take down, then you have to keep Chuck on the ground and try to inflict as much damage as possible as quickly as possible.

To execute this it would have to be done FLAWLESSLY because Chuck is awesome and has been borderline perfect in his fights as of late. With that being said, I think the odds for him vs. Tito should be like Liddell -275 or so.

[smoogy]

I agree with what has been said already: the most viable way to beat Chuck would be to take him out of his striking game with takedowns and groundwork, and barring that, only a striker on equal footing with Chuck who manages to put together one of the fights of his life could take him down. The MMA world has a pretty well defined elite class when it comes to LHW. The guys who would stand a reasonable chance with the Iceman, in my opinion, are:

-Rampage
-Wanderlei Silva
-Shogun
-Arona
-Randy Couture (If he were super determined to come back and beat another LHW contender first)