In this article published on this day six years ago, Chuck Liddell offered to help Ronda Rousey improve her striking skills after "Rowdy" suffered her first career loss at the hands of decorated striker Holly Holm at UFC 196.
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On This Day Six Years Ago...
[ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 5, 2016, 1:19 PM]
Title: Chuck Liddell Calls Holly Holm A "Real Striker," Says Rousey Needs Help & Offers To Train Her
TMZ.com recently caught up with UFC Hall Of Famer Chuck Liddell, who claims he would happily help Ronda Rousey train her striking, which he admitted she needs if she wants to beat UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion and former multiple-time women's boxing champion Holly Holm in a rematch.
"The Iceman" is one of the clearest-cut examples in the short history of MMA of an elite striker who only used his wrestling and grappling ability to avoid going to the ground or help him get back to his feet if he was taken down. For proof, look no further than the all-time record for knockouts in UFC history, which is still held by Liddell at 13 KOs in 23 appearances inside the Octagon.
For the record, former women's boxing champion Laila Ali agrees with Liddell as well.
Liddell was asked about Rousey's trainer Edmond Tarverdyan, who as a former professional boxing trainer is the man responsible for Rousey's level of striking ability, and admitted that she isn't on former women's boxing champion Holly Holm's level when it comes to striking.
"Is it the guy who told her she could out-strike Holly Holm? Is that the same guy?" said Liddell in sarcastic fashion when asked about Tarverdyan by the TMZ reporter.
After the comedic portion of his response, Liddell followed up with a politically correct statement regarding the improvement Tarverdyan has helped Rousey obtain in the striking department since the former Olympic gold medalist in Judo made the transition to mixed-martial-arts.
"Ronda's striking has greatly improved. He's done a great job with her striking," said Liddell after giving his opinion that Holm is still on another level in the striking department compared to Rousey. Liddell pointed out the fact that there's a significant gap in talent between a "real pro striker," which he called Holm, and Rousey, who is a decorated Judo player that has been adding striking to her game the past few years.
Whether or not Rousey seeks out Liddell's assistance in helping her further develop her stand-up game remains to be seen, however, she may have a chance to prove he and the critics wrong as it was announced by UFC President Dana White this week that November is when Rousey is likely to fight for the title, as she is expected to challenge the winner of the UFC 196 co-main event between Holly Holm and Miesha Tate for the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship.
Unfortunately for Rousey, she will have to do it without help from Edmond Tarverdyan on fight night.