UFC legend Chuck Liddell open to following Paige VanZant into bare knuckle boxing - despite warning

May 2024 · 2 minute read

UFC legend Chuck Liddell is open to competing in bare knuckle boxing, despite the best wishes of close friend Dana White.

The former light-heavyweight champion was a pioneer for MMA during his incredible rise to the pinnacle of the sport, becoming the first UFC fighter to ever appear on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

Yet he experienced a rather sad decline as his typically iron chin began to fail him towards the end of his career, losing four of his last six UFC fights by knockout.

In 2018, Liddell then fought former foe Tito Ortiz under the Golden Boy MMA banner, but was again knocked out inside one round and looked a shadow of himself.

At the age of 51, even the most ardent fans of ‘The Iceman’ would be loath to see him compete – especially not in bare knuckle boxing – but it could well be a possibility.

Whilst working on the commentary team for Paige VanZant’s BKFC bout with Rachael Ostovich on Saturday night on FITE TV, Liddell admitted during the broadcast he was not adverse to the idea.

“It would all have to depend,” Liddell said. “We’d have to talk about it. Yeah, if they pay enough money, sure.

“It all depends on what they come up with. We can talk about it. If they’re interested come and talk to me.”

White initially managed Liddell during his ascent, before accepting his position with the UFC, yet the organisation’s president is unlikely to be happy with the news.

A close friend of ‘The Iceman’, White unloaded on Oscar De La Hoya and the California State Athletic Commission for allowing his return against Ortiz to take place.

“Chuck Liddell is almost 50 years old and has no business fighting anymore,” he said on UFC Unfiltered back in 2018.

“The fact the state of California let that fight happen is disgusting. It's disgusting.

“Chuck Liddell has an incredible legacy. He's a huge superstar.

“Anybody who claims to be a friend of Chuck Liddell and was anywhere near [that fight] is full of s***.

“They're not a friend of Chuck Liddell. To let him go in and fight this fight is terrible.”

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