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Why Chael Sonnen is the perfect comeback fight for Chuck Liddell

By Stephen Blackman

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 04: Chuck Liddell celebrates after knockout out Randy Couture at UFC 57 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on February 4, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 04: Chuck Liddell celebrates after knockout out Randy Couture at UFC 57 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on February 4, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) /
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According to rumors, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell is considering a return and a fight against Chael Sonnen in Bellator might make the most sense.

In late September, TMZ reported that Chuck Liddell is considering a comeback fight against none other than Chael Sonnen. While some MMA pundits may consider him to be washed up, “The Iceman” believes Sonnen would be “a good warm-up fight.”

Earlier in 2017, internet rumors started to swirl about a Liddell return to the Octagon when UFC on Fox reporter Jay Glazer posted a picture of Liddell working the mitts. Glazer praised Liddell’s power on the post, saying that it “still sounds and feels like a shotgun when he hits.” At 47, there is no denying that Chuck Liddell isn’t the same fighter as he once was, but doesn’t that sound familiar?

When Floyd Mayweather Jr. decided to sign on the dotted line to fight Conor McGregor, he was the first to admit that his abilities have diminished with age. Despite this, he proved everyone who doubted him wrong when he stepped into the ring. While MMA is a completely different sport than boxing and Liddell is eyeing a comeback against another legend of the cage in Sonnen, don’t be quick to count Liddell out.

Yes, in Chuck Liddell’s last two outings in the UFC he was put away in the first round by Rich Franklin and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. Another obvious fact of the matter is that Liddell hasn’t stepped in the cage for a professional fight in seven years but does that mean that he wouldn’t stand a chance against Sonnen?

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Let’s take a look at Sonnen’s last two outings in Bellator. In June, Sonnen fought in the main event of Bellator 180 MSG against Wanderlei Silva. Throughout that match, Silva was visibly angered by Sonnen smothering him on the ground for the majority of the fight. While it was a smart strategy to prevent Silva from standing and exchanging shots, I don’t think that Sonnen would have the same success with that strategy against Liddell.

Prior to his fight against Silva, Sonnen faced off against Tito Ortiz in his retirement fight at Bellator 170. Prior to this fight, Ortiz stepped away from the cage for two years following a loss against Liam McGeary. Similarly to Liddell, Ortiz was an aged legend coming off of a first-round loss. However, that didn’t stop him from stepping in front of Sonnen and submitting him by rear-naked choke.

Both Silva and Ortiz are past their prime, but they still proved to be a real challenge for Chael Sonnen. Given Liddell’s history in the sport, in addition to his excellent ability to stand and trade shots followed up by brutal ground-and-pound, Liddell stuffing a Sonnen takedown in the first round, getting top position, and absolutely demolishing him isn’t out of the realm of possibilities.

Liddell will always be an MMA fan favorite. Even if you aren’t familiar with Liddell’s abilities in the cage, you’ve probably seen him featured on television shows like HBO’s Entourage. Bellator has been known for signing legends and Scott Coker would love nothing more than to take away one of the UFC’s most respected fighters for this matchup. Love him or hate him, Liddell is a sports icon. At a time when MMA is picking up steam in popularity, the sport would benefit greatly from his return.

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