Even though Chuck Liddell has lost his last two fights, the UFC has lost much more. Chuck Liddell was the face of the UFC for the past four years and they were banking on him to be for many more. Before his blockbuster fight against Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 71, you pretty much saw Liddell everywhere. He was on the cover of ESPN the Magazine, did interviews for ESPN, had an entire Best Damn Sports Show Period dedicated to him and he was a special guest star on TV's most popular show amongst the UFC's primary demographic, Entourage.
"Chuck is a bona fide superstar," White says to ESPN the Magazine. "Even in other countries, everybody knows him. When I go to New York with him, he gets mobbed. People scream from their cars."
Some may say that Chuck's last two losses cost the UFC millions in future earnings, expanded national exposure and most importantly, at least one face that millions can recognize and identify with. A casual sports fan could have seen him on Jay Leno and say, "Oh that guy with the mohawk fights in the UFC, what's his name again?" Sure they might not know his name right off the bat, but at least they know what he does.
So the question now is, where does the UFC go from here? Along with what Rampage did to Liddell, Keith Jardine's performance against the former champ on Saturday night has really given the UFC something to think about. Do they continue to bank their future on a 37 year old Liddell, or do they start the torch passing process and push younger fighters to the forefront? Coincidentally, it very well could have already started that same night, when fan favorite Forrest Griffin pulled off a massive upset over the number one ranked Light Heavyweight Mauricio Shogun Rua.
It was announced Saturday night that if Liddell would have won his fight, the long awaited showdown with former Pride Champion Wanderlei Silva was to take place on UFC's December fight card. Now that that fight won't happen, will it be Griffin that gets in the Octagon against Silva? With another win against a top fighter, especially one of Silva's caliber, expect to see Griffin knocking on the door for a title fight soon after.
Saturday was a sad night for Liddell, as he most likely came to the realization that Father Time may have caught up to him. He is seeing the younger and hungrier fighters pass him by at a time when the sport is booming in popularity. With the added depth the UFC has recently added to the division, Liddell may never see another fight before he hangs them up. Assuming that he wins his next three to four fights against the division's top fighters, that will see him challenging for a title at the age of 39? Not likely.
However, the argument can be made that Randy Couture came out of retirement and did it at the tender age of 43. Unfortunately for Liddell, there are two major differences between the two. Couture came back to fight in a Heavyweight division that is not nearly as strong as the 205's, and more importantly, Couture is a physical specimen. He has been taking care of his body for years and that has allowed him to extend his career, where as Liddell looks like he just stepped out of a bar, which may very well be possible.
As sad as it is to say, it is time for the UFC to move on. They need to start planning for the future and there is no better time to start then now. Let's take a look at the fighter profile that the UFC likes to market; they speak English, are charismatic, and provide exciting fights by always looking to finish. Griffin fits this mold perfectly and the UFC better start to move in his direction. Sorry Chuck, but the future started on Saturday night.
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