Sherdog’s Top 10: Most Influential Fighters

Chuck Liddell perfected the sprawl-and-brawl technique. | Photo: Sherdog.com

10. Chuck Liddell

Prior to the 1-5 stretch with which he ended his career, Liddell was one of the “baddest” men on the face of the planet. He was a brick-fisted sprawl-and-brawler who made his name by stuffing his opponents’ takedowns and putting hard leather on their faces, crushing them under a relentless but cleverly applied rain of counterstriking terror.

Liddell was far from the first sprawl-and-brawler in mixed martial arts -- that honor really goes to Maurice Smith, who will come up again later in this list -- and many of his contemporaries fit that description, as well. What set Liddell apart from fighters like Wanderlei Silva, who arguably operated against a higher level of competition? First, the quality of Liddell’s defensive wrestling is hard to overstate; he effortlessly shucked off takedowns from some of the greatest wrestlers of his generation. Second, while he is remembered mostly as a puncher, the craft, timing and skill in Liddell’s counter game made his raw power and bombing salvoes all the more effective.

Perhaps more important than any technical development, Liddell looked every bit the part of the relatable counterculture superstar. He was the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as it exploded into widespread recognition, or at least onto the fringes of mainstream awareness. His Mohawk, tattoos and ballsy fighting style made him an object of emulation and the standard bearer for an entire generation of American fighters. While he never got into coaching or spread his insights far and wide, the sheer appeal of the Californian made -- and continues to make -- Liddell one of the most compelling characters in the history of the sport.

Number 9 » Although the name is not well known among the present crop of MMA fans, the venerable fighter is one of the more important figures in the sport’s history. He is an idol to the entire generation of Japanese fighters who came after him, actively coaches today and was one of the first truly well-rounded fighters to compete on the world stage.