Iceman Turns cold

by Extreme John on September 7, 2008 1,371 views

Ah another amazing Saturday has come and gone, I have to say I love church more and more every single time it’s on. It seemed like forever since there has been a Pay per View UFC event on and I have been more than anxious to get another one underway. This Saturday would be the special night for church as I call it, UFC 88 Chuck Liddell vs Rashad Evans, not to mention a kick ass under card Featuring Mark Hamill vs Rich Franklin.

Through the years I have (much like most) become a huge Chuck Liddell fan and if I try I can’t remember missing one of his fights. I have also seen him go from being indestructable to being slapped around and loved his recent battle and win against Silva.

I am not sure exactly why but I decided that I would pick Rashad Evans to win the fight, it could have been the underdog thing or the fact that I felt Rashad would have Chuck’s number. The first round had me second guessing if Rashad was going to be able to handle getting tagged by Chuck, he took a few solid shots in the first but continued some good head movements and was able to make it out of the first round without being put to sleep.

When Rashad and Chuck came out for the second round I made the statement that I thought Chuck looked tired, which in Chuck’s defense he always looks tired. Rashad continued to circle as Chuck began to really press the action and it looked like Chuck had seen something in Rashad that caused him to step up the action. Much like Chuck does in most of his fights he followed Rashad Evans around the ring like a predator however this time around Chuck was being baited into a really bad situation by Rashad.

Rashads hand speed and combo’s were fresh and clean, Chuck had the same push he always has and what you come to expect from Chuck. I think that the “surprise” big punch factor that use to make Chuck so dangerous is no longer a “surprise”, it’s safe to say if your fighting Chuck he’s going to try and blow your head off of your shoulders with a big punch. This creates a couple of issues for Chuck without even really digging deep, I mean think about it… If Chuck is trying to hit you but your delivery is much faster than your chances of knocking Chuck out become greater. Not to mention you don’t need to train for anything except a stand up fight when your fighting Chuck, which in today’s world of Mixed Martial Arts usually means your going to get beat.

Here is a video from You Tube that I found of the Knockout, Rashad crushes Chuck with a huge shot which puts Chuck to sleep instantly. For a quick moment I thought Chuck might have had at the very least a broken jaw or even a slight neck injury.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2zNY-1Pf5I[/youtube]

Chuck is still a monster and he will continue to fight and be someone that people need to be concerned about, but just like James a friend of mine said, “Chuck needs to change his fighting style”. If it wasn’t clear to Chuck and his trainers after Rampage Jackson barely kissed Chuck and knocked him out, or when Keith Jardine beat Chuck up for the entire fight than this Knockout by Rashad Evans should make it VERY clear to Chuck and his trainers that the UFC is no longer a place for guys than can only punch or choose to use only one dimension of their fight game.