The Great Sherdog Debate: Liddell vs. Evans

The Ultimate Fighting Championship treats the Deep South to a slew of solid battles this Saturday when UFC 88 “Breakthrough” invades Philips Arena in Atlanta. The event features fights in a variety of weight classes, anchored by a main event pairing former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell (Pictures) with unbeaten 205-pound contender Rashad Evans (Pictures).

The majority of the MMA community favors “The Iceman,” though many agree the fight could swing either way. Sherdog.com radio host TJ De Santis and I believe we have the answer.

Thanks for taking this debate on short notice, TJ. It seems as though my original opponent, the undefeated Mike Fridley, has grown too high and mighty to put his glossy GSD record on the line. Funny, considering he’s the one who called me out.

While I hope Chuck Liddell (Pictures)/Rashad Evans (Pictures) turns into a rousing affair, I’m confident in my pick. When the fight was announced, my gut instinct told me to side with Liddell (21-5), and though my brain cautioned me to think this out thoroughly, my belly urged me to stick with my original pick.

Having said that, it’s with great confidence that I predict your boy, Evans (11-0-1), will get iced in the third round. But it will not be easy for Liddell.

I’ve touted Evans as a future champion since before he impersonated Adam Vinatieri and booted Sean Salmon (Pictures)’s dome through the uprights. Alongside that brazen call -- and tons of hate mail -- I stressed that it would be quite some time before Evans was ready to shoulder that mantle. He was shaky against Tito Ortiz (Pictures) and barely edged Michael Bisping (Pictures), who has since dropped to the middleweight division.

Evans has all the tools necessary to topple Liddell: raw athleticism, speed, good takedowns, strong wrestling and underappreciated striking. He’s also a disciple of one of the best teams in MMA -- Jackson’s Submission Fighting in Albuquerque, N.M. Those traits, along with his youth and Liddell’s aging frame, make Evans a great underdog pick. I just don’t see it unfolding in his favor.

It all boils down to a few critical intangibles. Liddell makes up for his shortcomings in two crucial categories -- experience against elite competition on the big stage and knockout power. Sure, Evans stiffened Salmon with his best Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic impersonation, but Liddell has made a career out of highlight finishes -- Ortiz (twice), Randy Couture (Pictures) (twice), Renato “Babalu” Sobral (twice), Kevin Randleman (Pictures), the list goes on and on.

When Evans finds it nearly impossible to keep Liddell on his back, the pressure of competing in the most important fight of his life will have already taken its toll. His stamina will be depleted, his backup plans will have failed and, come midway through the third round, Evans will try one last takedown in an attempt to seal the deal in a close fight. Misfortune will greet him when he tries to set up the shot with strikes and his fatigued body overcommits. Liddell will pull the pin, the grenade will detonate and, with one right hand, the fight will be over.

Afterwards, Liddell can focus solely on regaining the light heavyweight championship, which he will attempt to do against Forrest Griffin (Pictures) sometime in 2009, probably in February.

Your picking Chuck Liddell (Pictures) over Rashad Evans (Pictures) isn’t crazy; it’s just shortsighted.

Liddell has enjoyed a wonderful run in mixed martial arts, including an historic trilogy with Randy Couture (Pictures), two memorable bouts with Tito Ortiz (Pictures) and a number of highlight reel-worthy knockouts. What happens at UFC 88 may inch “The Iceman” one step closer to retirement, however.

Evans may be one of the manufactured stars of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series, but you cannot deny the season two winner’s talent and credentials.

Since leaving the show, Evans has continued to develop under Greg Jackson in New Mexico. Working alongside Keith Jardine (Pictures), Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) and Joey Villasenor (Pictures), the former Michigan State University wrestler has become a well-rounded threat. In my honest opinion, he’s a more complete fighter than his foe at UFC 88.

Photo by Sherdog.com

Evans' hopes of an upset
against Liddell hinge on a
balanced game plan, writes De Santis.

Liddell struck it rich with his no-nonsense approach, but his game provides little in the way of surprise. He’s going to come out, circle, counter with punches and, at times, come over the top with that signature John Hackleman haymaker. That may have worked in the past, but Evans represents a new breed of fighter.

Evans can take down Liddell and more than likely keep him there. I also believe he can stand on the outside and trade with the former champion without taking the inevitable nap. I’m not advocating Evans standing and trading, but I do not think he’s a complete fish out of water on his feet.

Evans will win this fight, either late in the third round or by unanimous decision. He’ll enjoy frustrating Liddell with a jab-and-move offense, and one-two combinations, mixed with the occasional shot, will keep “The Iceman” guessing. Confusion and frustration will catch up to the mohawked favorite, allowing the up-and-coming Evans to take the fight and move himself into title contention.

Are you serious? Come on, Zuffa. You can do better than this. Hamill’s not ready for the lions yet. This is a waste of fight -- Franklin by TKO in the second.
I agree with you in thinking that Franklin will win, but to call this a waste of a fight is ridiculous. Hamill has incredible wrestling talent and could take down Franklin repeatedly. With that said, Franklin’s punching power will prove too much for Hamill. I like Franklin to win, but it will be a competitive fight.

I’ll take Henderson by third-round stoppage.
I like Henderson to win this fight on grittiness. He cannot give up dominant position on the ground, but he can take a page out of Team Quest partner Matt Lindland (Pictures)’s playbook and make the fight dirty. I expect Henderson to clinch against the fence, dirty box and drag the fight through the mud, taking a decision in what will be a back-and-forth battle.

This could be the best fight of the night. Kampmann has all the tools to become a star in the middleweight division; all he needs is more experience. Marquardt is right there. Most experts will probably pick Marquardt, but I’m going with the Dane in a mild upset -- Kampmann by close, close decision.
I like Marquardt’s experience and submission game in this fight. Kampmann’s a threat standing and can hold his own on the ground. Right now, Marquardt’s just too good for the younger Kampmann.

Tavares needs a win like Paula Abdul needs another cocktail; that KO loss to Matt Wiman (Pictures) at UFC 85 was brutal. Pellegrino has proven himself a bit more durable inside the Octagon. I’ll take him by decision.
“Fight of the Night” bonuses will be written out to these two men. Tavares will also lay claim to the “Submission of the Night” bonus. Expect slick jiu-jitsu to play a big part in this lightweight bout. Tavares wins.

While watching the most recent season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” I was perplexed as to why the entire cast seemed terrified of Brown. Can you explain that to me, TJ? Either way, I like Kim by TKO late in the first round.
I agree with you. Brown is far less creepy and scary than some of the staff members we have here at Sherdog. I like the “Stun Gun” in this one, too. Kim will make a strong showing in Atlanta with an early submission.

Watch out, this one has “Submission of the Night” written all over it. Chonan will pull off a slick triangle in the second round, setting up a potential rematch with middleweight champion Anderson Silva (Pictures).
Carneiro was embarrassed by Kevin Burns at UFC 85. That will not happen again. I’ll take “Jucao” by submission.

This is an interesting fight. Seriously, I’m thinking about leaning toward Jason in this one. He’s much bigger and better.
Haven’t you used this bit before? I like MacDonald by submission.
You’re right. I can’t cop out with another lousy joke. I agree -- MacDonald by decision.

Patt’s been everywhere, but he has not faced the same level of competition as Boetsch. That’s why I’m picking Patt to stop “The Barbarian” in the second.
Boetsch should open every UFC card by throwing his opponent on his face. Give me Boetsch by TKO.