Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell

Although he had never lost a professional fight heading into his UFC 88 main event slot against Chuck Liddell, “Sugar” Rashad Evans was considered an underdog against the most dominant Light Heavyweight Champion of the 2000s. Just over one round later, Evans shocked the world at large by sending the former champion crashing to the canvas with one of the most sudden, brutal knockouts in years.

In the pre-fight lead-ins, both Liddell and Evans appeared confident in their power heading into the bout. “I’m excited to test his chin,” Liddell said. “I don’t think it’s been tested yet, so I’m planning on knocking him out.” “I want to put a hurting on Chuck,” Evans said, “just for myself more than for anybody else. Tonight I’m hosting Chuck Liddell’s retirement party.”

Evans entered the Octagon first, appearing focused and anxious. Rogan: “Very dynamic movement. Very dynamic wrestler and he’s got good striking.” Liddell entered next and received a loud reception from the crowd in attendance. Rogan: “It’s been a while since we’ve seen that look in Chuck’s eyes.” Goldberg: “He’s been in a different mood all week, almost as if he has a secret.” The first round was contested exclusively on the feet, with Evans using his superior footwork to evade and throw faints at a stalking Liddell. Although little damage was done, Liddell landed cleaner shots throughout the round and appeared to have Evans off balance and retreating on more than one occasion. The second round began much like the first, although Evans was more willing to trade punches with Liddell in the pocket when he was forced against the cage. Finally, as Liddell continued to grow more aggressive, Evans landed a crushing overhand right that knocked Liddell out cold at the 1:51 mark. Liddell stayed down for over a minute following the knockout.

“First of all I just hope that Chuck’s okay,” Evans said after the fight, “but I’m very happy about that. Chuck is a great competitor. You can’t beat Chuck Liddell by taking him down all day. That’s the way to get tired and get knocked out, so I just wanted to go at him and beat him at his own game.”

For Evans, the win over Liddell would be a precursor of things to come. Directly following that bout, Evans defeated Forrest Griffin to take the Light Heavyweight Championship in December of 2008 in the main event of UFC 92, but he would lose it in his first title defense against undefeated contender Lyoto Machida. Liddell, on the other hand, was asked by UFC President Dana White to hang up his gloves, but ultimately decided on a comeback fight against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in April of 2009 at UFC 97, a fight that he would lose by knockout in the first round.