Chuck Liddell Interview: by Jay Cisco Chuck Liddell is the fastest rising star in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. He has blazed a trail to the top of the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division and has the current champion unsure of his stature. I got a chance to sit down with Chuck the other day and discuss a few things that are going on in his career right now: Jay: So how are you doing right now, man? Chuck: Everything is going all right. I’m just training. Everything is going good. Jay: A lot of people see you as a very frustrated man right now. Frustrated with Tito Ortiz especially. Wouldn’t you agree? Chuck: Well, yeah and no. I’m just waiting to fight. I just want to fight. But(in regards to Tito) that’s the fight game for you. Jay: What is your opinion of Tito Ortiz at this point? Why does he not want to fight you? Chuck: He doesn’t want to take a risky fight and he doesn’t want to lose. He knows it is going to be a really tough fight. He knows I’m going to knock him out. Jay: How does it feel to take the supposed "poster boy" of the UFC, run him out of town, and take over his position by force? It is no secret everyone loves you. How does it feel to be the "People’s Fighter"? Chuck: Well, I like the admiration. It’s great. I go out and I try to do my best for the fans and myself. I just go out and try to perform. I’m glad everyone likes it. Jay: So now, from what we’ve heard, the plan is to go ahead with you and Randy Couture battling it out in June for the Light Heavyweight Title. Any truth to that? Chuck: Well, I’ve heard some of those rumors. I’m going to fight somebody June 6th but not necessarily him. It isn’t set in stone. No one has told me anything yet. Jay: How would you approach Randy in a fight? What kind of game plan would you bring in with you? Chuck: Well, I wouldn’t change much. He’s a wrestler so I would try to keep him from taking me down. I have a pretty good sprawl. I would try to stay on my feet and knock him out. Jay: Ok, let’s say you beat Couture. Would you consider facing Vitor Belfort again? I know you guys had a disputable contest last year. Chuck: (Chuck sounds excited at this point) Yeah sure, after I get the title and he wins a couple of fights. Once he gets back into the game that would be great. I think it was an exciting fight for the fans the first time. I think it would be exciting in a rematch as well. Jay: There have also been some reports that you would like a piece of Vanderlei Silva. Can that realistically happen with you in the UFC and him being signed with PRIDE? Chuck: I don’t know if it is ever going to happen. I would just like to fight him. Right now, I would like to fight him because he is a top fighter. I would be willing to come to PRIDE or have him come here(to the UFC). Jay: In your opinion, what is your best performance in the ring ever? What was your worst showing? Chuck: The Randleman fight would have to be up there as one of my better fights. It didn’t last that long and things worked out really good for me in that one. I get better every time I fight. Jay: What does your training routine consist of right now? Chuck: I lift about 3 days a week. I do conditioning like 3 days a week. I do striking/sparring 3 days a week. I wrestle 3 days a week. I alternate between striking and wrestling. My training schedule will probably pick up in the next week or so until my fight in June. Jay: What is the future of The Iceman? Chuck: I see myself as having the title, fighting and training. That is what I do. Jay: Well Chuck, it was a pleasure talking with you. We at IronLife wish you all the best in the future. I would like to close this out by letting you leave a message to all your fans out there. Chuck: You guys keep watching me. I’ll keep beating the best guys out there. And if Tito ever steps up, I’ll knock him out. Jay: Thanks Chuck. Chuck: No problem. [back]