Melting the Ice: Q&A with Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell
California-born and raised, extreme fighter Chuck Liddell takes time out to answer some questions.
JP: How did you feel right after you were injured? Were you pissed off about it?
Iceman: Very pissed. It was one of those things; a freak accident, but it was doing a drill. I was working with someone that I didn't usually work with. It wasn't his fault or anything but, it was just one of those things where it shouldn't have happened. It wasn't like we were live sparring or something crazy. Stuff happens when you are doing drills and goofing off and just working some little drills, trying not to work too hard. It was a light day and for it to happen that way it just kind of sucks.
JP: Do you think that Rashad Evans was a good match up for you?
Iceman: I thought it was a great match up. He's a wrestler that likes to try to move around and strike. But he's going to get caught.
JP: So you're looking forward to fighting him if they stick him in front of you again?
Iceman: Anytime, I'll fight him any time they want.
JP: What's next for you right after your hamstring heals?
(more after the jump)
Iceman: Hopefully I'm fighting. Whenever it heals and whenever its ready I'll start working on a fight. I'm hoping we'll be ready to go by September, if not there's November-December so, sometime this year I'll fight again.
JP: Are there any fighters that you are a fan of personally?
Iceman: Lots of them actually.
JP: Which one stands out in your mind?
Iceman: BJ Penn, Anderson Silva, Matt Hughes?
JP: Now it's your job to beat the crap out of people for a living. How would you feel if somebody actually died at your hands?
Iceman: Well, obviously I wouldn't be happy about it. I'm one of those guys; I'm out there trying to punch you out and to hurt you, but as soon as I'm done hopefully there's nothing wrong with you, I'm hoping that you're okay. So yea, it would be horrible. That's not something that I would ever want to happen to anybody.
JP: What, if anything, is Chuck Liddell afraid of?
Iceman: Things that I can't control, with the kids and stuff. You watch these TV show like "to Catch a Predator". I think a lot of that happens to parents that don't pay attention to their kids but still, that could happen to anyone.
JP: What do you like best about being a dad?
Iceman: They're great. I have a great time with the kids. I'm always happy when they're around.
JP: What's the best thing that has ever happened to you in your life?
Iceman: The best thing? My kids being born.
JP: What is your biggest regret?
Iceman: My grandpa never got to see me fight. He always thought that I was the best in the world. He always told me that.
JP:I heard that he supported you a lot.
Iceman: Yea, he always said that I could be anybody. He used to watch Tyson and say, "You can beat that guy." And I'm like, "Alright pops, whatever, whatever you say" (laughing). When he saw those mixed martial arts fights he thought that there was no way that I could be defeated. I just wish that he was there to see it.
JP: Thanks Chuck.
Full interview here.
-- JP Berube
Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times
