39 Facts About Chuck Liddell

1. Charles David Chuck Liddell was born on December 17, 1969 and is an American former mixed martial artist who was the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

2. Chuck Liddell is widely credited with helping bring MMA into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment.

3. Chuck Liddell was born in Santa Barbara, California, of partial Irish descent.

4. Chuck Liddell was raised by his single mother and maternal grandfather, who taught Liddell and his siblings boxing techniques from a very young age.

5. Chuck Liddell began studying Koeikan karate at the age of 12; the tattoo on his scalp reads "Koei-Kan".

6. Chuck Liddell was a four-year starter on the football team at San Marcos High School, playing center and linebacker.

7. When Chuck Liddell started his mixed martial arts career, he began to train in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Jon Lewis in Las Vegas, Nevada.

8. Chuck Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 during UFC 17 in Mobile, Alabama with a decision victory over Noe Hernandez.

9. Chuck Liddell was the first UFC fighter to fight in Pride, where he represented the organization against fellow kickboxer Guy Mezger, knocking him unconscious.

10. Returning to the UFC, Chuck Liddell was in contention for the light heavyweight title, preparing for a match with former champion Tito Ortiz.

11. Shortly after the second round started, Chuck Liddell landed a flurry of punches that dropped Ortiz and led to a TKO victory.

12. In early 2005, Chuck Liddell was a coach on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, Spike TV's reality show which featured fighters competing for a UFC contract.

13. Couture moved in for a punch, Chuck Liddell countered with a big right hand to the temple of Couture, knocking him out cold, making him the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.

14. Chuck Liddell was scheduled to defend his new title against longtime veteran Jeremy Horn, at UFC 54, a matchup the UFC claimed was demanded by long-time fans of the sport since Horn had given Chuck Liddell his first loss.

15. Chuck Liddell, moving backwards, was landing big punches, and a right uppercut ended the fight at 1:35 of the first round.

16. In what was the most financially successful UFC event up to that point, Chuck Liddell fought a rematch with Tito Ortiz at UFC 66, which took place on December 30, 2006.

17. Chuck Liddell was knocked down by a right hook less than two minutes into the first round and was unable to defend himself against Jackson's strikes on the ground, resulting in a knockout victory for Jackson.

18. Chuck Liddell responded that it was not anything he had not done prior to his other fights in Las Vegas.

19. Silva and Chuck Liddell were supposed to fight in the main event at UFC 76 in Anaheim, California.

20. Chuck Liddell lost a close split decision, making it the first time he had suffered consecutive losses in his career.

21. Chuck Liddell stated he wanted a rematch and claimed he had never taken Jardine seriously.

22. On September 6, 2008, Chuck Liddell faced Rashad Evans at UFC 88.

23. Chuck Liddell lost the fight via knockout in the second round after Evans connected with an overhand right.

24. On July 10, 2009, at the UFC 100 Fan Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, Chuck Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.

25. On June 12, 2010, Chuck Liddell faced Franklin at UFC 115 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

26. At the UFC 125 press conference, Chuck Liddell announced his retirement and stated he would be taking the position of Vice President of Business Development within the UFC.

27. Chuck Liddell was visibly emotional at the announcement, acknowledging his retirement and an end to his fighting with words of farewell: "Most of all I want to thank my fans and my family.

28. Chuck Liddell announced on April 14, 2018, that he was coming out of retirement to target a third fight with Tito Ortiz.

29. On March 3, 2020, Chuck Liddell announced in a TMZ interview that he has retired from mixed martial arts again.

30. Chuck Liddell was held at the Malibu Sheriff's Station on a $20,000 bond.

31. Chuck Liddell is associated with John Hackleman and The Pit fight team.

32. Chuck Liddell proposed to his girlfriend Heidi Northcott on November 4, 2010.

33. Chuck Liddell is a former part-owner of two bars in Lincoln, Nebraska: Dillinger's and NZone.

34. Chuck Liddell endorsed John McCain in the 2008 United States presidential election.

35. On May 9, 2007, Chuck Liddell became the first UFC fighter to be on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

36. Chuck Liddell released his autobiography, Iceman: My Fighting Life, on January 29, 2008.

37. Chuck Liddell was one of 16 people to compete on Season 9 of Dancing with the Stars.

38. In 2009, Chuck Liddell made a guest appearance on The Simpsons in Season 21, Episode 3 The Great Wife Hope.

39. In 2018, Chuck Liddell was a houseguest on the first US season of Celebrity Big Brother, where he was the first person evicted.