Liddell Retires; ‘Iceman’ Named to UFC Executive Position

Chuck Liddell: Jeff Sherwood | Sherdog.com

Chuck Liddell officially retired from mixed martial arts on Wednesday, but the former UFC light heavyweight champion will remain with the company he helped turn into the world’s biggest MMA promotion.

UFC president Dana White announced Liddell’s retirement at the UFC 125 pre-fight press conference in Las Vegas. White revealed that the 41-year-old “Iceman” will be joining the ranks of the UFC brass as the company’s new executive vice president of business development.

“He’s on level and on par with all the top executives. There’s about five or six of us, and Chuck Liddell is now one of them,” White said.

“Chuck will be involved in many different things as vice president of business development,” added UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta. “He’ll be working on not only the obvious regulatory issues, fighter relations, but mainly new business development. We continue to grow here in North America, with the U.S. and Canada, but we’ve got so many more things to do around the world.”

A visibly emotional Liddell took the podium for a brief statement, thanking the UFC, his fans and family for their support.

“I love this sport and I’m excited going into a new stage in my life, to keep promoting the best sport in the world and the sport I love,” said Liddell, who graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting. “[The UFC is] giving me the opportunity again to keep promoting and keep doing stuff now that I’m retired.”

Liddell leaves MMA with a record of 21-8, and a legacy as one of the sport’s all-time biggest stars and most devastating knockout artists.

After joining the UFC in 1998 and winning eight of his first 10 bouts for the promotion, Liddell became champion in 2005 with a knockout of Randy Couture. From 2005 to 2007, he ruled the UFC’s 205-pound division, racking up wins over Renato Sobral, Jeremy Horn and Tito Ortiz, twice.

The Iceman’s reign ended in 2007, when he lost his title to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Liddell would be knocked out in the final three bouts of his career -- against Rashad Evans, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and this past June, Rich Franklin -- prompting White to publicly voice his desire for Liddell to retire from active competition.

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Chuck Liddell Retires to Boardroom

Read below for more on Chuck Liddell's retirement from MMA as an active fighter and his new role in the UFC

Check out this tribute to Chuck Liddell including his greatest moments in the Octagon

Chuck Liddell Retires from UFC® Competition,

Joins UFC as Executive Vice President of Business Development

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – UFC President Dana White started today’s live press conference for the lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 with a surprise announcement regarding one of the sport’s most respected icons. In front of assembled media and fans at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, White broke the news that former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and UFC Hall of Fame member Chuck Liddell, a true pioneer and legend in the sport, is retiring from competing in the UFC. 

White’s announcement however, was not about the end of a career, but rather just a change in Liddell’s future, because White also announced that Liddell is UFC’s new Executive Vice President of Business Development.

“Chuck is the perfect example of a UFC athlete, someone who is smart inside the Octagon and smart in business,” White said. “With his background and expertise, Chuck is exactly the guy we need to work with regulators in existing and new jurisdictions, and work with all of the UFC athletes, as we grow this business around the world.

“Many people helped get us to where we are today,” White continued. “But there has been one guy that really stands out, as a great fighter, a great champion, a great partner, and a great friend.  So I am thrilled to announce that Chuck is now one of our top executives.” 

At today’s live press conference for UFC 125, Liddell took to the podium to express his gratitude for the support shown by the UFC, his fans, family, and friends during his career. He also spoke of his desire to make an immediate impact in his new role by helping UFC continue its global expansion.

“I love the sport and I’m excited to go into a new stage in my life and keep promoting something that I love,” Liddell said. “I’ve enjoyed everything about being a professional athlete and a UFC champion. At this point in my life though, the real challenge for me is to continue helping the UFC become the global powerhouse that we all know it will become. I look forward to working with everyone at the UFC, especially all of the fighters, to make the UFC the biggest and most successful sports organization.”

UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta noted that Liddell’s duties will include work on fighter relations and government regulation throughout the U.S. and internationally, but that Liddell’s main focus would be on developing new business for the company.

Liddell began fighting in the UFC in 1998 and is a legend in MMA with a career that has included a stellar run as a world class athlete, gym owner, trainer, and Coach on Seasons 1 and 11 of The Ultimate Fighter®.  In addition, Liddell graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with an Accounting degree.  So, Liddell’s combination of business acumen and athlete spirit makes him perfectly suited to work at UFC, the fastest growing sports organization in the world. 

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