“I Would Have Given Jon Jones Trouble”- Chuck Liddell

UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell took part in a Q & A session on MMA History Today. One question put forth to ‘The Ice Man’ was regarding the contemporary Light Heavyweights. It read, “You fought nearly all of the great light-heavyweights of your era, but who is the one contemporary 205er that you wish you could have fought?” The poster said his pick would be Dan Henderson. However, ‘The Ice Man’ had someone else in mind. 

Chuck Liddell names Jon Jones as a 205er he wishes he had fought

Liddell’s responded, “Jon Jones, because I think I would have matched up well with him style-wise. I would have given him trouble because it would have been very hard to take me down and I would have been landing some insane power punches during my prime. I also have a longer reach than my stats detail.”

Liddell joined the UFC in 1998. He, along with fellow fighter Randy Couture, is widely credited with popularizing MMA and the UFC. Moreover, Conor McGregor calls him his inspiration. ‘The Ice Man’ shared his thoughts on the same. 

“He is a Bad A**”- Chuck Liddell Reveals What he likes the most about Conor McGregor

Liddell lost 5 of his last 6 UFC fights in the twilight of his career. This was around the time Jon Jones signed with the company and began his lengthy undefeated streak. 

The top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter has only lost one fight- a disqualification defeat to Matt Hamill for illegal downward elbows. Jones is a multi-time UFC Lightweight Champion, but it has only happened as he has been stripped off the title on two occasions. First in 2015 for his involvement in a felony hit and run, and later for a failed drug test.

Jones vs Liddell is one of those classic clashes between eras that fans would love. However, it will not be possible as the 50-year-old ‘The Ice Man’ has long retired from competition. He made a return one-off return 2 years ago in a losing effort against Tito Ortiz.