Liddell thinks little of Fedor

wayne1

Liddell thinks little of Fedor
“He’s never knocked anyone out standing.”

Fedor Emelianenko is a rare case of an athlete who went from unanimous best to big doubt without losing. The Russian, who is one of the most dominant fighters in the history of Pride, has only fought twice since the Japanese event came to an end, in April and December of 2007, against middleweight Matt Lindland and the giant Hong Man Choi, who had only one MMA fight on his record.

To many of his critics, among them UFC president Dana White, the chubby tough guy steered clear of the real competition when he refused to sign with his organization and hid behind his legacy from Pride, where he was nicknamed “The Last Emperor.” Chuck Liddell, who enters the octagon on June 7th at UFC 85 to fight undefeated Rashad Evans, shares the same opinion with his boss.

“I truly believe Fedor is overrated. I’ve heard he picks and chooses some of his fights. You’ve got to wonder why he chose to fight a guy like Matt Lindland –- who weighs 185lbs! I heard he was negotiating with some other people who were heavyweights who would have been more of a challenge to him and he turned those down. He doesn’t have a great shot, he doesn’t have one punch power and to my knowledge he’s never knocked anyone out from his feet standing up. So I think anybody that can stop a takedown is going to be a good fight for him if they can strike,” said the Iceman to the British tabloid The Sun. :eek:

Dragan

Hmmm.....Fedor goes free agent and the most likely man to be a draw against him in the UFC starts to talk.

Gotta love marketing. For what it is worth i think he has a valid enough point.

Oh wait.....i actually don't!

sheldonparkgym

wayne1 wrote: »

“I’ve heard he picks and chooses some of his fights.

I wonder if Chuck realises the irony in that statement. After Chuck first beat Randy for the championship, Dana matched him up with fighters he'd already beaten (Tito, Babalu) or fighters who were ideally matched with Chuck's sprawl-and-brawl style, grapplers and wrestlers who posed no threat whatsoever of knocking Chuck out. Once Chuck did finally face someone who could stand with him and play him at his own game, he got badly beaten by both Rampage and Jardine.

As someone with knockout power, I can understand how he would fancy his chances against anyone. But I think he should beat Rampage first before calling out the likes of Fedor.

Also, I really get the impression that he says whatever Dana tells him to say. Dana has played a huge part in helping make Chuck very wealthy so I'm sure Chuck is more than happy to help him descredit any fighter who dares not to sign with the UFC.

cowzerp

Chuck actually does make some good points there, Fedor needs to get back in the action if he wants to be thought of as the best fighter out there, Im personally getting bored of him avoiding all the big guns and feel he's going to lose a lot of his fan base soon.

sheldonparkgym

Well Randy Couture is truly the one "picking and choosing" who he fights. I don't think he fancies his chances against Big Nog so he's stubbornly holding out for a big-money payday against Fedor, which probably won't ever happen.

Since Chuck's legacy is largely built on beating Randy twice, it's very unlikely you'll ever hear him say Randy is "overrated".

Dragan

I don't know. Fedor and Randy were always both pretty strong advocates of Fighters Rights in the own ways. Maybe having the two big men starting a few tremble will drive home the idea of treating all fighters well.

dunkamania

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

I don't think he fancies his chances against Big Nog QUOTE]

How do you figure this?

mark.leonard

I think that Chuck Liddell is a UFC Company man through and through. If Dana wanted him to say that the sky was green he'd make an argument for it based on the proliferation of aurora borealis.

I don't understand how anyone can doubt Fedor's ability. He has never knocked out anyone from his feet ergo he is not a great fighter? Not sure what the logic is there, given how many ways there are to win a match in MMA, I thought that was the point, but maybe I am missing something.

Dragan

The funniest thing is you could say the same thing about Chuck in a way.

He's only ever won once via submissions, so by his own logic anyone who can hold him down can take home a win.

Silly Chuck, i'll forgive your MMAth if you spark Evans highlight reel style.

FiannaGym.com

Any one who has ever watched Fedor fight knows he's p4p one of the best ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaoCqJrUy58

Peace

goo

What Chuck was saying that in a fight with Fedor he wouldn't be worried because because Fedor's never knocked someone out standing and by his standards doesn't have a great shot...
Its not like Rampage or the techno viking really did either to him though, and he still absolutely lost to both of them.
Apparently Chuck said he'd only go to HW after getting another go at Rampage. I want to see him move up now, but whatever.

hypnosisdublin

The thing is with Fedor never takes down opponents using the single/double leg takedowns that Chuck avoids so well using his sprawl. It's Fedors upper-body takedowns which make him so dangerous, especially when he transitions from striking to takedown at lightening speed. Then you have to suffer his G'N'P until the bell rings! :eek:

Even if a Fedor versus Chuck fight did remain standing, I think it would look a lot like this -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntturrft3wI

stevemc01

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

Well Randy Couture is truly the one "picking and choosing" who he fights. I don't think he fancies his chances against Big Nog so he's stubbornly holding out for a big-money payday against Fedor, which probably won't ever happen.

Since Chuck's legacy is largely built on beating Randy twice, it's very unlikely you'll ever hear him say Randy is "overrated".

Randy is ducking Nog, thats it :rolleyes: Whether people agree or disagree with Randys stance with the UFC at the moment you have to respect the guy for going after Fedor.

Randy only has a few more fights left, he could stay in the UFC and fight Nog, Sylvia (again), Werdum and even if he beat all 3 of them, people would still say he'd never beat Fedor.

He could have hid behind Dana and the UFC and used their failure to sign Fedor as an excuse not to fight. He doesnt though, he actively chases the fight, burns his bridges with the UFC and even tarnishes his own name and reputation in a lot of peoples eyes all to try and make this fight happen.
And what do people say? ahh he is ducking Nog.

Some people are never happy

dlofnep

Fedor would beat Chuck from pillar to post, with ease.

sheldonparkgym

stevemc01 wrote: »

Randy only has a few more fights left, he could stay in the UFC and fight Nog, Sylvia (again), Werdum and even if he beat all 3 of them, people would still say he'd never beat Fedor.

If Randy "only has a few more fights left", why then did he sign a multi-fight deal with the UFC? He could have signed a one-fight deal, beaten Sylvia and then have called out Fedor right there and then. Then he would have been in a very strong position from which to negotiate and Dana would have done a lot more to sign Fedor (e.g. eased the terms of the contract) to make the "Superfight" happen.

But he didn't, then broke his contract and is now is a very weak position. The way Dana White works, I would not be surprised if he now signed Fedor just to spite Randy. Look at how he has treated Tito Ortiz and Andrei Arlovski - it's very common for him to put personal feelings before business. And he has pretty good reason to be pissed off at Randy - remember he gave Randy an instant title-shot at Tim's title - after Randy had been twice knocked out by Chuck Liddell in his 2 previous fights before that.

Regarding him versus Big Nog, I stand by what I said. Gonzaga aside, he's always had trouble with large grapplers in the past (Barnett and Rodriguez) and Big Nog is the best of all the grapplers. A loss to Big Nog would have totally killed the "Who is the best?" appeal of Randy versus Fedor, mainly because Fedor totally dominated Big Nog whenever they fought. So Randy got out while he could, simply to preserve his market value while it was at it's highest.

Personally, I don't think Randy versus Fedor will ever happen. I'd love to see it but I see many twists to the tale coming very soon, none of which will work in Randy's favour.

goo

Fedor's not going to sign with the UFC and Randy's said a million times he signed his contract under the impression that Fedor was practically a done deal.

filament

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

Well Randy Couture is truly the one "picking and choosing" who he fights. I don't think he fancies his chances against Big Nog so he's stubbornly holding out for a big-money payday against Fedor.

that's a little unfair and im speaking as someone who wants to see randy vs big nog. randy has said straight out that he only has one fight left in him <believeable when you consider his age etc.> and to fight the guy fedor already beat doesnt make as much sense as fighting the best in the world

i feel sorry for nog though as the top two hw fighters are probably not in his sights and as such no one will ever recognise him as number 1

sheldonparkgym

filament wrote: »

randy has said straight out that he only has one fight left in him <believeable when you consider his age etc.>

You would imagine he'd have taken his age into consideration when he signed the multi-fight contract that HE himself negotiated.

I can totally understand why Randy is doing what he's doing. I just think it's more an emotional decision than a educated, rational one.

I believe Randy wants Fedor much more than Fedor wants Randy. Fedor can make more money through multiple fights with the UFC than holding out for a once-off against Randy. Also, I think Dana will offer Fedor another deal without the strict stipulations of the last one.

If Fedor signs with the UFC, what does Randy do? Will Randy come back? Would Dana let him back?

Finally, Tim Sylvia has a BIG announcent he's going to make today apparently. Could it be a match-up with Fedor? :eek:

dunkamania

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

Finally, Tim Sylvia has a BIG announcent he's going to make today apparently. Could it be a match-up with Fedor? :eek:

Unlikely considering Fedor isnt signed with any organisation.

Randy hasnt broken the UFC agreement, he is allowing it to expire.

Nog has taken one too many beatings to trouble Randy at these stages, bearing in mind Randy has upped his sub wrasslin immensely, he drew a submission match with Brazilian champion Jacare not so long ago.

cletus

dunkamania wrote: »

Randy has upped his sub wrasslin immensely, he drew a submission match with Brazilian champion Jacare not so long ago.

not to take anything from Randy, but he drew that fight by pretty much not engaging, from what I recall there was very little offence from him

Dragan

cletus wrote: »

not to take anything from Randy, but he drew that fight by pretty much not engaging, from what I recall there was very little offence from him

Would you not just consider that to be realising the strengths of you opponents game and the limitations of your own?

sheldonparkgym

dunkamania wrote: »

Nog has taken one too many beatings to trouble Randy at these stages, bearing in mind Randy has upped his sub wrasslin immensely, he drew a submission match with Brazilian champion Jacare not so long ago.

Styles make matches.

Tim Sylvia had no trouble for a whole 5 rounds with Jeff Monson, the 1999 Abu Dhabi champion. All Nog needed was ONE chance against Tim and he submitted him easily. Over 5 rounds, I believe he'd catch Randy too.

cletus

Dragan wrote: »

Would you not just consider that to be realising the strengths of you opponents game and the limitations of your own?

I considered it fighting to not lose, rather than fighting to win, again not taking anything from Randy, just that I dont think he has developed his "submission" wrestling all that much, which was the original point made

Dragan

cletus wrote: »

I considered it fighting to not lose, rather than fighting to win, again not taking anything from Randy, just that I dont think he has developed his "submission" wrestling all that much, which was the original point made

Groovy, cheers for the clarification!

cletus

Dragan wrote: »

Groovy, cheers for the clarification!

no big problem, me do good english wording

FiannaGym.com

I take it Chuck never watched Fedor and CroCop or Fedor and Fujita?

If you can make fujita flinch you can knock out two normal men with a feint.

That said, I remember in the press while Tito was still champ there were cartoons of Chuck fighting everyone, including the loch Ness monster to get to tito who was fighting school kids and stuff. Basically, Chuck fought ANYONE they put infront of him to get to where he wanted to be. Looking back they may have been good match ups for him but he made that happen and at the time it was a whos who of LHW.

So, if his beef is that Fedor isnt fighting all comers well then thats cool. I think Fedor would make chuck have his babies.

Peace

Lets join Fedor as he trains for CroCop.... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6e2vknstU&feature=related

filament

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

You would imagine he'd have taken his age into consideration when he signed the multi-fight contract that HE himself negotiated.

you imagine he'd predict the future?

stevemc01

sheldonparkgym wrote: »

You would imagine he'd have taken his age into consideration when he signed the multi-fight contract that HE himself negotiated.

If Fedor signs with the UFC, what does Randy do? Will Randy come back? Would Dana let him back?

Why not sign a mult fight deal when he fought 2 of them in the space of 6 months. Not sure of the actual specifics in Randys contract (is anyone, lol), but he fought Sylvia and Gonzaga and i think a Fedor fight would have fulfilled the last fight on his multi-fight contract.

The UFC couldnt sign Fedor, so he baile dout chasing that fight.

The reason Randy was given a straight shot at Sylvia and no warm up fights was because they had no-one else to fight Sylvia, bar Cro Cop who was only with the company a month or 2. A fight against Gonzaga wouldnt have pulled in a good ppv buyrate, Vera was pissing aroundover his contract too and none wanted to see Arlovski v Tim 4.

Would the UFC take Randy back? If it makes them money or course they would.

Roper

FiannaGym.com wrote: »

I take it Chuck never watched Fedor and CroCop or Fedor and Fujita?

If you can make fujita flinch you can knock out two normal men with a feint.

That said, I remember in the press while Tito was still champ there were cartoons of Chuck fighting everyone, including the loch Ness monster to get to tito who was fighting school kids and stuff. Basically, Chuck fought ANYONE they put infront of him to get to where he wanted to be. Looking back they may have been good match ups for him but he made that happen and at the time it was a whos who of LHW.

So, if his beef is that Fedor isnt fighting all comers well then thats cool. I think Fedor would make chuck have his babies.

Peace

Lets join Fedor as he trains for CroCop.... http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=lC6e2vknstU&feature=related

LOL, I remember that.
Tito: "I don't want to fight him because he's my friend"
Chuck: "We're not friends"

starrywalsh

Hi,

I have just read this post and am shocked that Chuck Liddell is running his mouth again,if Dana White said the sky was purple Chuck would say it too!!

I am beginning to take a dislike to Chuck, how can he "bad mouth" someone like Fador, he is one of the best, there is talk here of Chuck stepping up a weight, I think thats because the UFC's Heavyweight devision is bad, Couture will never fight for the UFC again, Tim Sylvia is going elsewhere too.

If Fador and chuck were in the same ring I have no doubt Fador would have him in an armbar within two minutes of the first round..... but that fight will never happen...

It is a disgrace for chuck to comment on another professionals abilities .... and this is not the first time he has done this, last week he was making harsh comments about Elite XC's Kimbo Slice, this man is only starting in MMA, he has an amazing following and chuck seems to be annoyed over this, once again Chucks is putting down another professional, and make no bones about it, that is what Kimbo Slice now is, he is been trained by a legend, Bas Rutin, just look at that guys record, Rutin is not going to waste his time on someone who has not got a chance.

Liddell would want to cop on to himself .... Fador has no KO power... Kimbo has no ground game... He would want to start looking at himself before he comments on other people, Rampage destroyed him (and he would do it all day every day) Jardine dominated him, and Jardine is not tought to be at the highest level yet. I for one hope Evans destroys him in London.

BOTTOM LINE - No professional should ever comment in this manner about another.

ryoishin

Nice to see another fan of Bas!

starrywalsh

ryoishin wrote: »

Nice to see another fan of Bas!

yeah he is a legend,

look at this .... chuck would want to sort himself out - he is ment to be a rolemodel for people, this video is shocking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xwYOFIWlg8

cletus

starrywalsh wrote: »

yeah he is a legend,

look at this .... chuck would want to sort himself out - he is ment to be a rolemodel for people, this video is shocking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xwYOFIWlg8

Eh, I think that it is generally accepted that he was sick and on medication at this stage, as well as trying to do all the promo work he was doing as LHW champ.

Plus,why is he a role model, he's a fighter, not a childrens television presenter*

*not a chuck nuthugger

starrywalsh

He is a fighter, but he is also a role model is he not? He may of been on medication during the interview but he was also drinking until 2am the same day... Thats also fact!

cletus

If he was drinking till 2am (which I thought was refuted) then as a spokesperson for the UFC, Dana White may not have been very happy, I still don't buy that just because he is a sports person he is a role model.

If he was presenting the Den, or Blue Peter, then he wuold be considered, to some degree a role model, because of the demographics of the audience, but i ask again, who is Chuck a role model for

Dragan

starrywalsh wrote: »

He is a fighter, but he is also a role model is he not? He may of been on medication during the interview but he was also drinking until 2am the same day... Thats also fact!

I think you are stretching the role model thing a little too far. Just because we respect what someone is does not make them a role model.

Chucks job is to go the gym, train, eat right, fight prep and show up on fight night and fight. Thats it.

While i'm sure all of us here appreciate the dream it is hardly something that is massively important in modern society outside of an entertainment and personal acheivement aspect.

He's just a fighter, let him drink till 2am if he wants to. If i was Chuck i'd be drinking till four.

Fozzy

Where was it said that it was fact that he was out drinking? He had pneumonia at the time and had mixed non-prescription sleep medication with prescription medication and was doing the interview a few hours later. Of course that's going to mess you up and I'm sure he's learned to be careful with medications now

And Chuck usually does drink til 4 when he's out!

FiannaGym.com

Chucks job is to hit the bear til he develops a nice big Kenpo belly... thats where his power comes from, just like Hackleman's power and all the other Kenpo fighters before him.

Chuck struggles as far as the Kenpo belly goes so he's a bit of a laughing stock in Kenpo circles. That said most guys know he's still young (37 or what ever) and has time to settle into a good bear and kenpo training regime over the next few years... when he can really develop as a fighter!

Any body see Rampage's impression of Chuck at the Osirus photo shoot? (I think it was Osirus)

Peace

wayne1

Top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) will fight Tim Sylvia (Pictures) on July 19. The Russian mixed martial arts champion confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com on Tuesday.

"[Sylvia] is a good fighter, a strong fighter, the former UFC heavyweight champion, which is important," Emelianenko said via telephone from Stary Oskol, Russia. "I am looking forward to fighting him and training hard for this fight."

While Emelianenko was short on details, Sherdog.com has learned through sources close to the negotiations that Fedor-Sylvia would headline a card tentatively scheduled for the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, the home base of HDNet Fights.

HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon declined to comment on the report, however sources indicate the bout will air on the Mark Cuban-owned network and is rumored to be promoted by Affliction, a clothing brand closely tied to MMA.

Affliction had been connected with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, however a June 28 Las Vegas date has since been discarded.

Emelianenko, a 31-year-old sambo practitioner, has faced criticism from media and fans alike after a string of fights against less than stellar competition. Sylvia would represent the Russian's first ranked opponent since his unanimous decision over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic nearly three years ago.

Widely regarded as the top heavyweight fighter in the world, Emelianenko (27-1-0, 1 NC) was recently freed from a letter of intent binding him to the now-defunct M-1 Global promotion.

Sylvia, 32, is coming off a submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) in February at UFC 81. After a spirited performance that saw him batter his foe at will with strikes, Sylvia (24-4-0) eventually fell victim to a classic Nogueira come-from-behind performance and succumbed to a guillotine choke early in the third round :cool: