Liddell-Silvia A Dream Match

Author: David L. Hudson

It had to happen. The match had to be made.

Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell vs. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva: The MMA world demanded it and the UFC, through Dana White, delivered in a major way. These two striking phenoms face off Dec. 29 in a bout that likely will end in spectacularly brutal fashion. Liddell possesses a right hand bomb, an impenetrable stand-up defense and an ice-cool demeanor. Silva unleashes an aggressive all-out assault, marked by brutal knee and leg strikes.

For several years, Liddell was the face of the UFC, a fighter who twice defeated the great Randy Couture, who stopped Tito Ortiz twice, and graced the cover of ESPN The Magazine. Silva possesses a most entertaining style, utilizing a variety of knee, leg and arm strikes to become a popular legend worldwide from his native Brazil to the PRIDE home base in Japan.

What will happen is anyone’s guess, as both legends are coming off two straight defeats. Liddell’s last two fights were the devastating first-round kayo loss to lose his UFC light heavyweight belt to the explosive Quentin “Rampage” Jackson, and a close decision loss to Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine. Silva comes off losses to Mirko Cro Cop and “Dangerous” Dan Henderson. Each legend desperately needs a win. Three losses in a row could be a death sentence, as far as title contention is concerned.

Common opponents provide little guidance and a touch of irony. For example, current UFC light heavyweight champion “Rampage” Jackson twice has kayoed Liddell, while Silva twice has blasted out Jackson with devastating knee strikes. Ortiz defeated Silva by decision, while Liddell has stopped Ortiz twice.

Both legends say they are ready, realizing that this dream matchup presents them with a golden opportunity to move closer to a title shot.

“This is a very important fight for me,” says Liddell. “A win puts me back in the title hunt. It is a huge fight for me. I plan to go out there and knock him out.”

For his part, Silva relishes the opportunity, saying that his 10-month layoff has been a blessing in disguise for him, allowing him to get in the best shape of his life.

“I’ve been training at Extreme Couture with excellent sparring and am in the best condition of my life,” says Silva, who vows that he will unleash an aggressive, attacking style.

“I will use a lot of kicks in this fight.”

Liddell says it best:

“It is a compelling matchup. The contrast in styles is very interesting. He likes to come after people and I like people to come after me. We’re both great strikers and you have the Pride v. UFC issue.”

Tune in via pay-per-view on Dec. 29 to watch these two striking legends face off.

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David L. Hudson Jr. is a feature writer for Fightnews. For more information, check out his website at http://www.davidlhudsonjrbooks.com