Raw, I can see that happening very easily. Shogun's style does play in to exactly what Chuck likes to do. The one thing I will say about Shogun is that he's young, has a very very good chin and hasn't been hit with those shots like Chuck and Wandy. If Shogun can get his cardio in check then I really think the fight is 50/50. If he can get Chuck in the clinch then it will be very interesting.
Saying that, if Chuck wins I won't be upset. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a championship bout one more time. To me he still is the ROCK STAR of the ufc and big hits are always fun to watch.
My guess is Shogun wins round 1 and then he slows down, as usual, and Liddell takes 2 & 3. Shogun is good at overwhelming his opponent in the first round, but he can't keep that pace throughout the fight.
Here is a funny story from an MMA magazine (article on Wanderlei from either Ultimate Grappling or FIGHT! magazine, i cant remember)..... I'm not gonna sit here and copy it verbatim, but I'll summarize.
(Shogun and Wand are still in Brazil at Chute Boxe.)
Shogun has a pit bull who has puppies... Wand decides he would like one, and Shogun obliges..
Days after Wand picks his pup, Shogun asks Wand when he's going to pay him.... Well, Wand was under the impression the puppy was a gift. :shrug:
Time goes by and Shogun is still asking for the money...... They agree to have a sparring match (standup only with big gloves) in which they go at it until one is either knocked out or gives up. The winner gets his way; meaning if Wand wins, he keeps the puppy for free.. if Shogun wins, Wand pays up.
The article stalls a bit and Wanderlei says "I wont tell you exactly what happened, but lets put it this way........
I did not pay for that puppy."
:mj07:
