Dewey's Diva
06-22-2006, 01:31 PM
http://ottsun.canoe.ca/Sports/OtherSports/2006/06/22/1646314-sun.html
June 22, 2006
Worth the weight to face UFC star Liddell?
By JOSE RODRIGUEZ
When it comes to sheer punching power, the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Chuck Liddell is in a class of his own.
That's why the last man to beat the venerable striker in the Octagon says it's time someone from another weight class stepped up to fight the UFC's most popular fighter.
"I'd really like to see Rich Franklin go up to light heavyweight," said retired UFC star Randy Couture.
"I think that would be a really good fight."
Franklin, the current middleweight (185 lbs.) champ walks around at light heavyweight (205 lbs.) size and cuts weight before his fights.
Franklin is a fan favourite and has built a solid record of 20 wins and one loss -- better than Liddell's 18-3 record.
Both are good on their feet and both are good with their fists. Since Couture's departure from the sport after losing a title fight last February to Liddell, the dearth of qualified light-heavyweight challengers hasn't gone unnoticed.
Even UFC president Dana White recently admitted it's getting tough to find good contenders for Liddell.
Liddell will take on Renato "Babalu" Sobral in a title fight in August. But there aren't many in Vegas who'd be willing to take the longshot that journeyman Babalu will dethrone superstar Liddell.
The other person Couture thinks may stand a chance against Liddell is The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 coach Tito Ortiz.
"I think Tito (Ortiz) has the skill set to be hard on Chuck," said Couture.
"If he keeps his mind right, trains and finds a way to take Chuck down."
Taking Chuck down, as Couture himself will attest, is no easy feat.
June 22, 2006
Worth the weight to face UFC star Liddell?
By JOSE RODRIGUEZ
When it comes to sheer punching power, the Ultimate Fighting Championship's Chuck Liddell is in a class of his own.
That's why the last man to beat the venerable striker in the Octagon says it's time someone from another weight class stepped up to fight the UFC's most popular fighter.
"I'd really like to see Rich Franklin go up to light heavyweight," said retired UFC star Randy Couture.
"I think that would be a really good fight."
Franklin, the current middleweight (185 lbs.) champ walks around at light heavyweight (205 lbs.) size and cuts weight before his fights.
Franklin is a fan favourite and has built a solid record of 20 wins and one loss -- better than Liddell's 18-3 record.
Both are good on their feet and both are good with their fists. Since Couture's departure from the sport after losing a title fight last February to Liddell, the dearth of qualified light-heavyweight challengers hasn't gone unnoticed.
Even UFC president Dana White recently admitted it's getting tough to find good contenders for Liddell.
Liddell will take on Renato "Babalu" Sobral in a title fight in August. But there aren't many in Vegas who'd be willing to take the longshot that journeyman Babalu will dethrone superstar Liddell.
The other person Couture thinks may stand a chance against Liddell is The Ultimate Fighter Season 3 coach Tito Ortiz.
"I think Tito (Ortiz) has the skill set to be hard on Chuck," said Couture.
"If he keeps his mind right, trains and finds a way to take Chuck down."
Taking Chuck down, as Couture himself will attest, is no easy feat.