UFC 88 Analysis: Chuck Liddell v Rashad Evans
by Franky Redzepi email

Chuck Liddell vs Rashad Evans:

Chuck Liddell will finally return to action at UFC 88 after his win against Wanderlei Silva. Liddell (-260) will take on the undefeated TUF winner Rashad Evans (+200) in the main event, and both of these guys are both coming back from long layoffs. We haven't seen Rashad since his lackluster split-decision win against Bisping at UFC 78, and as mentioned, we last saw Chuck beat Wanderlei at UFC 79. A lot is riding on this fight, the winner will likely get a title shot and you should expect the best from both guys. The gameplan for these guys is pretty simple; Chuck wants to stand as usual, and Rashad will probably look for the takedown. Rashad has shown the ability to stand with guys in the past, but I don't see that being his plan for this fight. Whoever imposes their game will win the fight.

We know how Chuck has done against wrestlers and grapplers in the past, he usually knocks them out. Randleman, Couture, Tito, Babalu, and many others with the wrestling base found themselves on the wrong end of a Liddell knock out. Why should Rashad be any different? In reality, Rashad hasn't looked good in a long time. As his competition has increased, Rashad has struggled with fighters of equal skill in the MMA game. He was given a gift draw against Tito Ortiz, and he was given a controversial split-decision against Bisping. I can understand how Rashad might have trouble with Tito, but I don't understand how he struggled against Bisping. Bisping was the smaller guy and as never known for takedown defense, but Rashad struggled to get him down. A lot of people say Rashad just had a bad fight, but you can only have so many bad fights until people start wondering how good you really are. Rashad should have been able to throw Bisping around if his wrestling was as good as we thought, but he couldn't do that. If he couldn't take Bisping down, how in the hell will he take down a bigger guy with legendary takedown defense? The answer is simple.....he won't take Chuck down at all. Rashad hasn't shown much of his striking against improved competition. When he fought Tito and Bisping he just bounced around without throwing many punches the whole time. If you stand outside against Chuck you're getting knocked out, even if you are randomly bobbing and weaving. A lot of people thought Rashad was some beastly striker after he head-kicked Sean Salmon, but who was Sean Salmon? Rashad never really landed on Bisping or Tito at all, it seems he's content to fight for decision, and that doesn't work against someone like Chuck.

I don't think all hope is lost for Rashad, though. Evans will have the advantages of having Keith Jardine to train with (who beat Liddell), and he'll also come in with a good gameplan. Greg Jackson found a way to beat Chuck once, and he could do it again. You also have to wonder if Chuck is slowing down too. Chuck was never able to find that big shot against Jardine, and he was never able to drop Wanderlei, even though he landed many clean shots. Wanderlei is a tough guy with great recovery, but he has shown that he can be dropped in the past. Chuck never did that, so you really have to wonder if he's losing that legendary power that he has. In the long run though, this is just the worst possible fight for Rashad. For Rashad to win, everything has to go right for him and everything has to go wrong for Chuck, and I don't see that happening. The bottom line is that if you find it hard to take Bisping down, then you're going to find it nearly impossible to take Chuck down. Chuck should be able to find the finish, but even if he can't, he'll defend every one of Rashad's takedowns and take home the decision. I do believe Chuck will find the finish though, and he'll find himself one step closer to the title with that finish. Styles make fights as they say, and Chuck has made a career out of being the anti-grappler.

Chuck Liddell wins by Second Round KO/TKO.

UFC 88 Betting Discussion

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