Liddell eyes main UFC event in London this June
The Fight Network

Updated: February 5, 2008, 5:29 PM EST

Chuck Liddell has Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in his crosshairs.
Liddell, who is still the UFC's biggest draw, will collide with the former PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix winner in the main event at UFC 85, tentatively scheduled for June 14 at the O2 Arena in London.





"I think it's going to be a great fight," said Liddell, who recently made a guest appearance at the headquarters for Throwdown Industries. "I think he's going to strike, he's going to wrestle a little bit and he's going to mix it up. It should be fun, and it should make for an interesting fight."

Once received as the world's premier 205-pound fighter, Rua (16-3, 0-1 UFC) submitted to Forrest Griffin in his promotional debut at UFC 76 in September. The 26-year-old Brazilian underwent surgery to repair a torn knee ligament in wake of the loss, his first in nearly two years.

Rua holds a pair of first-round stoppage victories over reigning Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. He also knocked out current UFC light heavyweight titleholder Quinton "Rampage" Jackson — a man who has defeated Liddell twice — at PRIDE "Total Elimination 2005" two years ago.

"I don't really think that plays a factor in MMA because there's so many factors in the sport," said John Hackleman, Liddell's longtime trainer. "This guy beating this guy doesn't mean that guy can beat this guy, so I don't think 'Shogun' beating 'Rampage' has anything to do with anything."

Liddell (21-5, 16-4 UFC), meanwhile, has re-emerged after back-to-back losses to Jackson and Keith Jardine. The former UFC light heavyweight kingpin roared to a unanimous decision victory over longtime nemesis Wanderlei Silva in one of the year's most memorable fights at UFC 79 in December.

At 38, Liddell carries with him one of the sport's best resumes, which includes a pair of knockout wins over both UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture and Tito Ortiz. Thirteen of his 21 career victories have come by KO or TKO, and he once went more than three years between losses.

Despite Hackleman's desire to see the match with Rua contested in Las Vegas, Liddell said traveling to the United Kingdom will have no ill affects on his performance.

"John likes Vegas better," Liddell said. "I don't think he likes traveling that far. ...I don't think it affects me. I don't usually get jetlag going there. I get jetlag coming back."

Hackleman believes Liddell would have held a decided home-turf advantage with the fight in Las Vegas.

"I'd just rather keep the training local," Hackleman said. "We just don't like to travel and we want to keep our camp local. It's easier for all of us. It doesn't make quite as much sense [to travel] on our side."

Although the bout against Rua fight will mark Liddell's first-ever appearance in the U.K., Hackleman remains confident that competing overseas will not change the desired outcome.

"Chuck will knock someone out anywhere," he said.

Cant wait for this fight! Shogun and Chuck are both in a position to relaunch their careers. If the Shogun from the '05 GP shows up Chuck will get eaten alive. If Shogun that fought Forrest shows up, Chuck could possibly get a devastating KO. This fight will be amazing!

It should be a great fight, I can't wait!

Yes i can't wait, i hope shogun wins so badly though.

I kind of hope chuck wins. He only has about four or five more fights in him, I dont want to see him become Matt Hughes and drop a few good fights and win a few dull ones then retire!

Rua has a lot more fights in him if he works for them. Chuck is at the end of a road!

The majority of the UFC viewers know nothing about MMA or who is a good fighter/what makes a good fighter. Because shogun came and lost to griffin they all think he is trash, but dont know his history.. i love rua's flamboyant style and want to see him waste chuck, come on - we all know he can.

what.... blasphemy

Shogun will win.


I believe.

Shogun will win.


I believe.

You gotta believe!!!!

I wonder if Liddell will try an take down like what he did to Silva : )

I like Evans in a upset

this would be an awesome fight

It never happened.

???

LOL. ooops someone not keeping up to date me thinks haha.