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[T]

I didn't see this anywhere so please remove if it's a repost

thesun.co.uk - CHUCK LIDDELL says he will knock out Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua when the two collide at UFC 85 in June.

The Iceman is set to face ex-Pride superstar Rua at London’s O2 Arena and claims a victory will put him back in title contention.

Liddell said: “I’m looking forward to a great fight. He’s a well-rounded fighter and it should be fun.

“But I think that after I have this fight - and WHEN I win this fight - I deserve a title shot. "

Both fighters are known for their striking ability, with Liddell’s stree t- fighting background set to match up well against Rua, who trained with the infamous Chutebox academy.

Liddell added: “It’s going to end up striking . We both strike a lot but his takedowns don’t impress me.

“With the ones I’ve seen from him in the past, I don’t think he’s got much chance of taking me down.

“But it’s going to be great. I’m going to come out swinging and throwing everything and I plan on knocking him out.”

Brazilian Muay Thai expert Shogun lost his debut UFC clash against Forrest Griffin in September after the American defeated him with a rear naked choke.

A host of ex-Pride fighters have struggled to make the transition from the ring to the cage and Liddell says fighting in the Octagon proves there is a step up in class.

The Iceman said: “ The reason some of the Pride guys aren’t performing well has to do with the fighters themselves and who they’re fighting with.

“There are a lot of good fighters in the UFC and the Pride guys have been used to just fighting with each other. Some of them are overrated.

“I saw a poll where Rameau Sokoudjou came third in the rankings and he’d been knocked out a year before that by a guy that fights out of my gym.

“The guy from my gym i s a tough fighter but isn’t even rated and has never fought in Pride or the UFC .

"But he knocked Sokoudjou out a little over a year ago.”

Have to disagree with Chuck here. I don't think he deserves a title shot I think he needs a rematch with Jardine and then maybe a title shot.

[Diegonightmare]

I'd say that with everyone calling Chuck the #2 or even #3 LHW for years, behind Wanderlei and/or behind Shogun, then after beating Wandy and (in this scenario) beating Shogun he damn well deserves a title shot.

Particularly if Wandy beats Jardine. Even though Jardine decisioned Chuck, I see no need for Chuck to "step back" to beat Jardine in order to qualify for a title shot, if he beat first Wandy and then Shogun in that order. He will have beaten the other 2 of the fighters that 90% of MMA fans have been saying for years (prior to the recent Rampage era) comprised (along with Chuck himself) top 3 LHW in the world.

IMO you don't need to "prove" anything after that, in order to get another shot at a belt that you held for years and KO'd a who's who at LHW en route to that belt and then in defense of that belt.

[fedor]

Originally Posted by T

I didn't see this anywhere so please remove if it's a repost



Have to disagree with Chuck here. I don't think he deserves a title shot I think he needs a rematch with Jardine and then maybe a title shot.

I agree with you 100%, he does not deserve a title shot yet.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by fedor

I agree with you 100%, he does not deserve a title shot yet.

Who's more deserving of a LHW title shot than Chuck, if he beats Shogun?

Forrest is fighting Rampage next for the title. Let's say Chuck KO's Shogun and Wandy destroys Jardine. Who is ahead of Chuck for a title shot?

[fedor]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

I'd say that with everyone calling Chuck the #2 or even #3 LHW for years, behind Wanderlei and/or behind Shogun, then after beating Wandy and (in this scenario) beating Shogun he damn well deserves a title shot.

Particularly if Wandy beats Jardine. Even though Jardine decisioned Chuck, I see no need for Chuck to "step back" to beat Jardine in order to qualify for a title shot, if he beat first Wandy and then Shogun in that order. He will have beaten the other 2 of the fighters that 90% of MMA fans have been saying for years (prior to the recent Rampage era) comprised (along with Chuck himself) top 3 LHW in the world.

IMO you don't need to "prove" anything after that, in order to get another shot at a belt that you held for years and KO'd a who's who at LHW en route to that belt and then in defense of that belt.

How would that be a step down to fight Jardine again? Jardines last fight was the win against Liddell, Shogun is coming off a loss, and wand was coming off two consecutive losses. Shogun WAS #1 until he got beaten by Griffin, so technically this fight is a step down for Liddell not against Jardine.

[T]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Who's more deserving of a LHW title shot than Chuck, if he beats Shogun?

Forrest is fighting Rampage next for the title. Let's say Chuck KO's Shogun and Wandy destroys Jardine. Who is ahead of Chuck for a title shot?

What about Rashad (sp) he hasn't lost yet. If Chuck beats Shogun, who is 0-1 so far, that makes Chuck 2-2 with his title loss(obvious). I think Rashad should get a shot. (IMO)

[fedor]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Who's more deserving of a LHW title shot than Chuck, if he beats Shogun?

Forrest is fighting Rampage next for the title. Let's say Chuck KO's Shogun and Wandy destroys Jardine. Who is ahead of Chuck for a title shot?

If liddell wins and jardine losses then liddell, if they both win, this is just my UNbiased opinion Jardine should be next.

[JoeKickAss]

If Rampage beats Forrest, I just don't want to see Jackson/Liddell 3. He's already lost twice to Rampage...best 3 out of 5?

[Dimson]

Originally Posted by fedor

I agree with you 100%, he does not deserve a title shot yet.

If Jardine beats Silva, I say he fights the Rampage/Griffen winner.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by fedor

How would that be a step down to fight Jardine again?

Very simple; Chuck is top-4 LHW in the world and Jardine is not.

After beating Wandy and, in this scenario, Shogun, you'd have to argue Chuck is the #2 LHW in the world. Jardine therefore is not #2, and he is not #1. Hence, he is a step down, which Chuck needn't take after beating the #4 and #3 LHW's in the world.