Savagery and charisma brought Chuck Liddell to the forefront of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s rise to mainstream prominence.
Liddell made his professional debut at UFC 17 on May 15, 1998, won 12 of his first 13 fights and gained a massive following in the process, ultimately establishing himself as a superstar with crossover appeal. “The Iceman” reached his peak in 2005, when he became fifth man to capture the undisputed UFC light heavyweight championship. Fighting under his trademark mohawk, the Californian delivered 13 of his 21 career victories by knockout or technical knockout, and while he did not age well as the miles piled up on the odometer, he remains a historical figure in the world of mixed martial arts.