Has Chuck Liddell Lost That KO Power?
by Kelvin Hunt on Oct 31, 2008 1:41 PM EDT
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PrintIt's been said that a fighter loses things as they get older in their careers, but usually their power is the last thing to go. I think we have witnessed the latter in Chuck Liddell, but probably just haven't noticed it until now. Liddell was one of the most formidable and dominant champions in UFC history with a string of KO victories to his credit. However, many people haven't realized that Chuck Liddell has not won by KO or TKO since defeating Tito Ortiz at UFC 66. That event took place in December of 2006.
Liddell has been featured in 4 fights since that victory over Ortiz. He has suffered 2 devastating KO losses and gone to decisions in the other two matches. Let's take a look at all four fights:
Liddell vs. Rampage Jackson 2-The fight didn't even last two minutes, and neither fighter really landed anything significant before Jackson landed the big right hand that put Liddell down. It's also safe to say that Jackson has one of the best chins in the game so we'll give Liddell a pass on this fight.
Liddell vs. Keith Jardine-Here are the stats for the fight and of course I realize the stats are subject to human error. However, as you can see Liddell landed several strikes to Jardine's head. If you watched the fight you'll remember Jardine's confidence beginning to grow as he took a couple of Liddell's punches without going down. We also have to remember that Jardine did this AFTER getting destroyed by Houston Alexander. We have also witnessed Jardine getting destroyed by Wanderlei Silva, so I think it's safe to say that Jardine doesn't possess one of the best chins in the game.
Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva-Here are the stats for this fight. Liddell landed BOMBS only to see Silva retaliate with bombs of his own. He was hitting Silva with combinations full of power shots and couldn't put Silva out or even drop him. This was against a guy that was coming off of back to back KO losses and I'm fully aware of the circumstances behind Silva's matches against Henderson and Cro Cop. However, most fighters can't stand and trade with Liddell without at least suffering a knock down. I'm aware that Silva isn't most fighters, but you would think Liddell would have been able to put him away as often as he had Silva hurt.
Liddell vs. Rashad Evans-I couldn't find the stats for this fight. I was at the fight LIVE in Atlanta, and at one point in the fight Liddell landed a crushing 1-2 combo. Evans kind of just absorbed it, backed up and did a little dance at Liddell. Also during the second round they had several exchanges in which both fighters landed some nice shots. Liddell was never really able to hurt Evans with his power shots.
So again I ask, has Liddell lost that KO power?
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yeah, i think he has to certain extint, but i think he can still ko alot of fighters if he lands the right punch, or doesnt get koed himself. punching power is the 1 thing that usually stays with age, its the reflexes that fade fast. i think most impotantly he has lost that aura of invincibilaty that he once had. along with the ko power he was also thought of has having an inpenatrable chin as well. if someone would have told me that after that tito fight he wouldnt have a ko for the next 2 years and would be koed twice himself, i would have thought they were nuts. but now it’s like, what top 10 lhw CANT beat chuck. oh well, his legend is cemented forever and i cant think of any 1 fighter who has brought mma more to the mainstream than chuck, not even kimbo(lol).:)
by brent on Oct 31, 2008 11:26 PM EDT reply actions
To answer your question, yes I do think hes lost his KO power.
The Jardine fight really strengthens your argument. Jardine got hit; even dropped. The Chuck of old would have knocked him out with one of those many punches that landed. And its common knowledge that Jardine doesn’t possess a great chin. He doesn’t have a glass chin but he ain’t no Henderson/Big Nog either.
If he can’t KO Jardine, he sure as hell isn’t knocking Anderson Silva anytime soon.
by Flyingknees on Nov 1, 2008 4:04 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, considering his performance in his last few fights, Chuck has lost the edge he had. Whether it’s from losing a bit of speed, reflexes, accuracy, or pure power is hard to say. Basically for power to be effective a fighter needs speed, reflexes, and accuracy to deliver that KO strike. If he lost an edge in one of these other attributes then his opponent has that extra bit of time to prepare for the hit. I think that’s as good an explanation as him losing “power”, and it also explains why he’s getting caught by strikes lately too.
by Lesnar's Chest Tattoo on Nov 1, 2008 5:37 PM EDT reply actions
i doubt he has lost the knockout power, in the jardine fight, he landed some shots and hurt jardine in the first round, jardine even said after the fight that chuck had him rocked in the first round, i believe chuck has lost his speed not power, the evans knockout is a perfect sign of that, a few years ago chuck would have landed the upper cut he threw faster the evans could have landed that right
by kiddcarter on Nov 1, 2008 5:42 PM EDT reply actions
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