After various sources, including UFC President Dana White, reported that former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell was seriously considering retirement, one of his closest friends and mentors John Hackleman posted a bit of news on his website, ThePit.tv. Hackleman said that "Chuck is fine. Disappointed, but fine, and he will be back…soon."
The Fight Network also spoke with Liddell's trainer who said that Liddell would "be back in the gym next Monday." If true, it would seem that Liddell would be aiming for a fight on December's UFC 79 card but it won't be against Wanderlei Silva.
Hackleman also told The Fight Network that a possible matchup for Liddell would be against another fighter who just suffered a setback as well in Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Rua also came up short at UFC 76 this past Saturday, so a win for either fighter would definitely put one of them back in the title hunt. Liddell has never been one to shy away from top-level competition, and this would certainly be a make or break fight for the "Iceman".
Tim's Take: As I said earlier, I didn't think Liddell would retire just yet. Warriors don't take to losing well, and Liddell has always been a warrior in the cage. One has to wonder though, is Rua the right opponent after coming off of two straight losses? You'd have to assume that "Shogun" will be back with a vegeance after being embarassed by Forrest Griffin this past Saturday. I don't think fighting again this year would be a smart move by Liddell's camp, but then again I'm not a fighter. Only time will tell.
by 5thround.com
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