San Marcos High School Alumni

Santa Barbara, California (CA)

AlumniClass Home  >  California  >  San Marcos High School  >  Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell

Wrestler and football player; retired professional MMA fighter, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and UFC Hall of Fame member[7][citation needed]

What is Chuck Liddell known for?

Charles David Liddell, famously known as "The Iceman," born December 17, 1969, in Santa Barbara, California, is a renowned figure in the world of mixed martial arts. He is a former professional mixed martial artist, best recognized for his tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he held the Light Heavyweight Championship.

During his childhood, Liddell was raised by his single mother and grandfather. He started studying Karate at the age of 12, and by the time he reached high school, he had become a four-year starter on the football team at San Marcos High School, playing both center and linebacker positions. Besides football, he also excelled in wrestling.

Liddell made his remarkable debut in UFC 17 in 1998, with a decision victory over Noe Hernandez. Despite being a heavy underdog during his second bout against Brazilian Jose "Pele" Landi-Johns, Liddell dominated the match and won via decision. This success laid the foundation of Liddell's career as a top contender. Known for his knock-out power, he finished his MMA career with an impressive record, with 21 victories in 30 fights, 13 of which came by way of knockout.

Outside the ring, Liddell also made notable contributions to bringing MMA into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment, alongside fellow UFC fighter Randy Couture. In addition to his fighting career, Liddell also earned a bachelor's degree in business/accounting from the California Polytechnic State University in 1995, where he was inducted into their hall of fame in 2009.

After a remarkable career spanning over a decade, Liddell retired in late 2010 but made a one-time comeback for a bout in 2018. His significant contributions to the sport earned him an induction into the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame in 2009.

For more detailed statistics and information about his career, visit the UFC Fighter Profile or Sherdog.