Something went down in the fall of 2009 regarding Chuck Liddell's life. Tito Ortiz said that he was told it was an intervention that helped Liddell kick his alleged issues with alcoholism. Dana White was livid with Ortiz for using such strong terminology, but it's clear from the repeated mentions of "lifestyle" issues at Friday's UFC 115 prefight press conference, Liddell was walking a dangerous line for a few years.
"My biggest issue with Chuck was his lifestyle," said White, who told the media, fans and Liddell that Liddell�was retiring after a loss at UFC 97 last April. "He became literally the most famous mixed martial artist in the world. Let's just say he wasn't living the lifestyle of a professional athlete. He took some time off. He re-evaluated his career. My big beef with Chuck was his lifestyle. He's changed his lifestyle."
The signs were blaring along the way. Liddell showed up in a less than clear state one morning for a Dallas television interview. There was also the report from Las Vegas gossip columnist Norm Clarke, that Liddell was spotted late night in clubs before his loss against Quinton Jackson at UFC 71.
Back then, Liddell would say that he was just hanging out late because it was part of his natural clock and that he'd only drink water or an energy drink. Without spilling the beans, he was a little more forthright on Thursday. �
"Yeah, I needed to change it for sure. I spent much too much time in the offseason going out and having a little too much fun," said Liddell. "And not getting better and not letting my body heal. I spent most of the camps getting in shape, losing weight and not training. And not working on things I should be working on."�
White says stardom hit Liddell hard and the wins were coming too easily.
"I was very verbal about him and wanted him to hang it up. In my mind, he wasn't taking it seriously. The guy was so talented and so good for so long, he could do what he was doing and still knock people out," said White.
White was fed up watching Liddell go downhill, but he knew it was possible for the former light heavyweight champ to get his act together."It wasn't a matter of whether he could, it was a matter of whether he wanted to. Anybody can do anything they want to do. I didn't know if he really wanted it. When we seriously starting talking, maybe it's time for him to hang it up and come into the office, that turned him around real quick," laughed White.�
Liddell blimped up during the summer of 2009 before White got him pointed in the right direction. He bet the guy he re-named "The Iceberg" that he couldn't get down to 215 pounds. Liddell admitted this week that he was as heavy as 238 (pictured at Las Vegas club in July) last summer before the bet. The wager motivated him and he cashed the 10 large by hitting his goal.
Then came competing on "Dancing With The Stars." Liddell admitted the DTWS appearance re-energized him, that he missed the basics of training and hitting the gym to drill wrestling and jiu-jitsu.
If you're searching for a recent success story in sports as far as beating a partying issue, look no further than Major League Baseball. Detroit Tiger slugger Miguel Cabrera hit rock bottom at the end of the 2009 season. There were reports that Cabrera was partying all night before playoff games and then there was the domestic-violence incident at his home. Cabrera and the Tigers took things head on and provided full disclosure.The 27-year-old Venezeluan got sober is now a Triple Crown candidate hitting .339 with 18 home runs and 59 RBIs. Shooting back to the top of the game isn't as easy for a 40-year-old knockout artist in mixed martial arts. Nothing is guaranteed to come from Liddell's re-dedication to his conditioning and the game, but at least he's giving himself a better a chance to get a win in the world's nastiest weight division.
For Liddell, this isn't just a one fight experiment to show that he still has it.
"I expect to perform very well. I'm in great shape. I'm excited to be out there again," said Liddell, who meets another veteran fighter in 35-year-old Rich Franklin at UFC 115's main event in Vancouver. "Everybody knows I'm looking for the title. That's what I'm here for."
Liddell told MMAWeekly on Wednesday that he was walking around at 209 pounds. That's a good sign. Now let's hope with the weight and drinking issues out of the way, he's back to fixing some of his defensive liabilities.�
Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole chimes in on Liddell's chances to be successful.
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