Chuck
September 8th, 2008
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All I can say is “WOW!” I didn’t see that knockout coming. I thought Rashad had a good game plan of throwing some shots and running, throwing some shots and running; but I just thought that monster right hand of Chuck’s was going to land and put Rashad down. As most of you know, Chuck is a close friend of mine and it wasn’t easy to watch that knockout. Something like that will put you in a bad mood for the rest of the night. I’ve talked to a few people and have heard a couple of comments about Rashad’s showboating; but I like Rashad and that’s just him. Rich had a good fight, he landed a good liver kick to stop Matt Hamill, so at least one of my buddies got his hand raised. I watched the whole pay-per-view card and to me it was pretty entertaining, there wasn’t really a slow match, I liked them all. I’ve got a friend named Kevin, from Advanced Armament Corporation, he went and sat about three rows back from the stage and he said he had a great time. Kevin’s helped me out a lot and I helped him get tickets to this UFC, so I was glad to hear that he had a great time. Last weekend, I flew to Phoenix for LaserLyte. Met up with Aaron and Larry Moore (owners of LaserLyte) and Pat Flanigan to do a signing at the Cabela’s there. Had a good turn out, was busy the whole time I was there and went out that night there in Phoenix to a sports bar to watch the UFC. Here are the pictures from our gator hunt a couple of weeks ago with Mike Mattley and Knight Rifles. We were on Lake Verret and the other guys in these photos are Danny “Butch” Bernard, Roy Gaudet, and David “Picou” Rousseau:
-matt |
September 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
When I saw Chuck go down concern covered me, at the same time I could not believe my eyes. Chuck is my favorite fighter next to Hughes of course, so it has been difficult as my favorite fighters have struggled. Chuck has said it before though, even the best fighters get knocked out. I still am hoping for a Chuck, Matt, and Rich to return to glory. I don’t believe any of them are past their prime or need to retire. To many people are critical on 1 fight during the year against top quality competition. When there is so much tape on these guys it makes it easier to formulate a good game plan. I still have faith.
- Keith
September 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
[...] went and did that. Tons more pictures from the hunt, as well as his thoughts on the Chuck knockout right here. No [...]
September 8th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
i think the KO of chuck was a surprise for everyone, here in venezuela there is no PPV to see the fight live, so when i just read the post on the internet about the KO, i just could´nt believe it. then i´ve saw the fight and still was hard to believe, but i think that chuck have great fights still ahead, and he will show why he is a legend on the sport!
Angel Navarro (san cristóbal, venezuela)
September 8th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I don’t think anyone saw that outcome coming.
Some people really confuse getting loose in a fight with showboating. His post fight antics are really no different from most fighters like Ortiz, Lesnar, etc. It’s a show.
Rich return to glory?!? Rich never left in my opinion. Although he dropped two fights to Anderson Silva, it doesn’t mean his skill has declined. Silva just has his number. Look at his performances and record. Rich is a superb fighter who definitely beat many top LHW competitors. Franklin can win the LHW title as long as that path doesn’t go through Lyoto Machida.
September 8th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I think its safe to say that Liddell didnt see that KO coming either. I dont like Evans, I dont mind his manouvres in the Octagon or dance or whatever, I find it distasteful but…whatever…no I went off him when I saw his manner in the Ortiz Postfight Press Conference. I wont support someone like that.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I agree with Keith. Chuck, Matt, and Rich are not past thier prime. I just dont think they are the real elite anymore. They are still great fighters and still matter to the UFC. I just think the changing of the gaurd is upon them. The younger, faster, stronger guys are taking over.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I was speechless when Chuck went down. When he didn’t get right back up, or even more for a few seconds, I was terrified he was very badly hurt. Had he been just a second or two faster, Rashad would have been on the ground and that’s how I wished it would have happened. Rashad is probably my least favorite TUF champ. I thought Rich did a great job on Hamill.
Have you had a chance to talk to Chuck since the fight? He’s my son’s all-time favorite {sorry-you’re a very close second :o)} and my little guy was just devastated.
Cool gator pix.
September 8th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Meant to ask - what will you do with the gators?
September 8th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hey Matt,
I had Rashad picked to win that one. His speed is often underrated. I think Rashad had a good game plan coming into the fight. I have been a fan of Chucks for almost as long as I’ve been a Matt Hughes fan, but I’ve always felt like Chuck should bring more of his skill set (grappling, wrestling, etc…) into his fights.
I don’t think Rashad was showboating. Everyone gets excited when they win, and I think during the fight, Rashad was doing the classic bob and weave boxing… which is in part what won him the fight. I don’t know… that’s just the way I see it.
Anyway; looks like you had a good time hunting gators down south, and I hope the recovery is coming along nicely.
September 8th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Hi Matt,
I was so excited when Rich won his fight and I was so hoping that Chuck was going to win too. I really don’t care for Rashad but I guess it was meant to be his night. I’m like some of the others on your forum (especially Mac–he had me practically rolling on the floor) who do not care for all these “antics”. Hey, I get that the fighter who wins is excited but some of these guys, the stuff they do, for me it just shows no class. You, Rich and Randy have shown such grace and class not only when you’ve won but also when you’ve lost (giving cudos to your opponent). To me that’s the mark of a true champion!
By the way, I hope that if/when you get to fight Serra or whoever your next fight is with that it will be when YOU are ready–don’t let Dana White/UFC rush you into anything. You seem like such a good guy, Matt, stepping up when Dana has called on you, but I don’t know that he’s had YOUR best interest at heart sometimes-IMHO.
As always, thanks for sharing your adventures (gator pics of you and Mark and also the dove hunt) with us.
God Bless!
September 8th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I was depressed for several hours even the next day after seeing Liddel suffer that knockout, and I really do not like Evans as a fighter. but have to admit he has improved his game. Good luck Matt with your recovery and future plans. hope to have you speak at a church event in the future. Dennis
September 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Quick question to Matt. Wondering if you will be in Omaha for fight night?
September 9th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
That fight was amazing. . im a fan of chucks but that was a great knock out from rashod!!!. . I do live out here in albuquerque, NM. . so i cant say anything bad about rashod!. . That fight is one to remember!. . Im a huge HUGE fan of yours matt. . and i hope to see you fight again. . especially against matt serra. . win or lose I’ll be chearing you on!!!… Amber Erni
September 9th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
It sucked and I am scarred for life after watching the great and powerful Chuck Liddell go down!! I never thought I would see that happen and it SUCKED!!! Katie
September 10th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Matt..I noticed in your gator hunt pictures that in one you were wearing camo shorts and in the others you were wearing jean shorts. Did something happen with the gators that required a quick change of shorts?? Just wondering, I might have been a little scared too!!!
September 12th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
matt
is there anything you wont wrestle,quite impressive and amazing with the gators!!!!
September 13th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
While down here in Cajun land, you should have stopped for a book signing or demonstration. MMA is just taking off down here. I hope the locals showed you how to cook up those gators. Good eatin. Take care of that knee.
September 16th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
What are you going to do with the aligators?
LR.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
hi…
Plz dont kill the gators for fun…
I am so down after watching Hughes Bros shooting that helpless baby gator and later holding its dead bosy and smiling…
Do u eat them or just kill for fun??
I am big time fan of matt huges and his twin bro.
Please dont kill innocent animals for fun…
October 7th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Yes, they ate the gator meat. It was actually really good too, tasted just like chicken but with the texture and consistency of a pork chop. So it was a lot more filling that chicken normally is.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
U r AWSOME!!!!!!!!
October 13th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Matt & Mark,
Just wishing you both a Happy Birthday. Hope you enjoyed our cajun hospitality. Our family enjoyed having you at our camp on Lake Verret. Matt, wishing you the best of luck in your next fight. Hope to see you again for the next gator season.
P.S. : If you find time, let me know when your next fight is scheduled.
Good Luck,
Roy Gaudet and Family
November 7th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
MATT, I AM A HUGE FAN OF YOURS!!! I AM NEEDING A LITTLE HELP I AM TRYING TO FIND INFO ON A FIGHTER THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST FW FIGHTERS ON UFC HIS NAME WAS OLOG TALKTARIFF. IM NOT SURE OF HE SPELLING BUT WOULD LOVE O FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS CAREER, IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO , OR COULD LEAD ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!