Bad Luck Chuck?

It happens to everyone. No matter how hard you try, you grow old. Things ache that never used to. Gray hairs are no longer attributed to stress. And, as Toby Keith best said it, ya ain't as good as you once was. No one should be realizing this more today than Chuck Liddell. Previous to the conclusion of UFC 115, doubts had been raised about the UFC hall of famer's health and ability in the octagon. People said he was getting old. Up-and-coming younger fighters were going to be too much for him to handle. They questioned the toll fighting had taken on his body and mind. And after getting leveled by a right hook from Rich Franklin Saturday night, I would have to say that the critics were right.

But Chuck is a fighter. Always has been, always will be. I'm sure he didn't care he hadn't fought in over a year. I'm sure he didn't care he had lost two fights in a row, both by KO. He was driven. Driven to prove people wrong. And for the most part, driven to kick the crap out of his arch rival, Tito Ortiz. Chuck appeared on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter as one of the coaches, alongside Ortiz. Tensions were always high between the two, until they reached a boiling point when Tito withdrew from their end of the season PPV fight. Chuck was furious. He had been training to fight Tito and now, just when he was about to start his comeback run against the man he hated most, the rug gets pulled from underneath him. But he wouldn't make excuses, that's not the style of a true fighter. So he accepted Dana White's decision. Insert Rich Franklin, and a couple months later, Chuck comes to staring up at the ceiling of the General Motors Place in Vancouver, B.C..

Chuck came out in the first round guns blazing. He looked impressive, considering his age and ring-rust. He even broke Franklin's arm on a heavy duty leg kick. I scored the first round to The Iceman. But he got anxious, and exposed himself with only 7 seconds left. That was all Franklin needed. It took one punch and Chuck was on his back. Unlucky indeed. He looked terrible after he came to. Worn out, exhausted and a little like a man who knew it was over.

So this raises the question. When should fighters no longer be allowed to fight? Do guys like Dana White have a say in the matter? When are the signs of too much fighting enough to call it quits? After watching the Ultimate Fighter season, I could tell that Chuck wasn't as quick thinking as he used to be. He took a lot longer to answer questions asked of him. He seemd slow, almost dim-witted at times. Could that be the result of getting punched one too many times? It's hard to say but this type of scenario happens to everyone. An elderly father is confronted by his son about his driving. It's no longer safe, the son says. But is it really that easy to admit to yourself that you no longer can do something? I certainly don't think so. There is too much pride involved. But while it is not easy, it takes a real man to know when to fold the hand you're dealt. Chuck could have walked away from the UFC a hall of famer, and a legend in his own right without having to deal with the criticism that he is too old. But he didn't. And he is entitled to that. I believe that fighters have every right to declare that they themselves are still able to fight. But I also believe that promoters, like Dana White, can deny them the fights, for their own good. If Chuck wants to go fight at another promotion like Belator, that is his prerogative. But something should be said when everyone is saying it's time for a fighter to call it quits.

So is it bad luck that makes it seem a fighter isn't what he used to be, or is it simply due to old age? Maybe a little bit of both, but it is clear that the Iceman isn't as impervious as he once was.