Chuck Liddell And His Mixed Martial Arts Role

Chuck The Iceman Liddell was born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbara, California and is a mixed martial artist, a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and a former UFC Light Heavy weight champion. Liddell is known for his standup fighting techniques and take down defense and knockout ability within MMA circles. Liddells fighting versatility and stamina have earned him the nickname The Iceman, and have furthered his budding acting career, which includes, among other things, a recently released commercial for Dell Computers and an appearance in a music video for the band Nickleback.

Liddell began his training at the age of twelve, starting with Koei-Kan karate, and went on to become a four years starter on the football team of San Marcos High school, and later a Division I wrestler at California Polytechnic State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business and Accounting in 1995. Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 after a decision victory of Noe Hernandez, and was considered the number one contender for the UFC Light Heavyweight title, which he later won, catapulting him to a career of further renown.

Liddells platform, the UFC, began as a tournament with the goal of locating the worlds top fighters, and was based on Brazilian vale tudo fighting. Originally known as a no holds barred and often violent style of fighting, the UFC has since established and reformed rules and regulations that have resulted in a wider mainstream appeal.

From these beginnings, Liddell has become a mainstream celebrity, in addition to one of the most well known MMA fighters. In 2005, Liddell appeared in the first season of the Spike TV reality show, The Ultimate Fighter, which featured new UFC fighters competing with one another for a contract with UFC, the largest MMA promotion worldwide. Liddell was coach of team Liddell, and both of the shows winners, Diego Sanchez and Forrest Griffin, also team Liddell members, have gone on to successful careers of their own. Liddell also has a successful fan club, his own line of apparel and other merchandise, and has made guest appearances in several movies and television shows. Liddells signature fight move, the Octagon, a wide, swinging punch, is a crowd favorite.

Liddell, who described himself in an interview with ESPN as mellow and laid back, has two children, Trista and Cade, and a brother, Sean Liddell, who has also fought in the MMA.