Chuck Liddell has officially retired from fighting in the Octagon, and will now play a role in the executive offices a the UFC. At the press conference for UFC 125, Dana White made good on the promises that Liddell would always be a part of the UFC, and announced his new position.  Dana announced he would be the Executive Vice President of Business Development, and he will serve on the executive level. White said “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.”

UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said that Chuck would continue his role in growing the sport, but he would be much more active now that he will not be training full time. “Chuck will be involved in many different things as vice president of business development. 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.”

Liddell, who graduated from California Polytechnic State University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in business and accounting, stepped up to the podium to talk about his new rule. Liddell was very shaken, and it was obvious to everyone that just saying the word retired was hard for him to do. He told the press and the fans “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. The UFC is giving me the opportunity again to keep promoting and keep doing stuff now that I’m retired.”

Liddell came to UFC in 1998, and went on to win his first ten matches in Octagon. In fact, his whole fight resume is filled with names that reads like a who-is-who list in mixed martial arts. He went on to win the Light Heavyweight title in 2005 by knocking out Randy Couture, and held his title for two solid years. In the two years, he piled up wins against  Renato Sobral, Jeremy Horn and Tito Ortiz, twice. Liddell lost his title in 2007 when Quinton Rampage Jackson defeated him for the title, and Chuck began to lose fights. His last 3 fights in the UFC were all knock out losses to current a former champions in the UFC; Rashad Evans, Rich Franklin, and current 205 champion Mauricio Shogun Rua were all able to stop him via KO.

Chuck Liddell is easily the most recognized face in Mixed Martial Arts, and it was an absolute honor to watch him fight. Fighters around the world are congratulating him, and thanking him via face book and twitter, and the sentiments are wonderful to read.
Congratulations Chuck, and Thank You for the years of entertainment, your hard work, and your love for Mixed Martial Arts. The sport would not be the same with out you.

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