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Posted at 2:47 p.m., Friday, May 25, 2007

'Iceman' Lidell looking to add to MMA legacy

By Neil Davidson
For the Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — When Chuck Liddell nodded off during a TV interview on "Good Morning Texas" in early March, it looked like the UFC light-heavyweight champion was falling victim to his busy schedule.

Coming from a fighter whose highlight reel normally consists of brutal knockouts, clips of a dozy, slurring Liddell raised alarm bells. The UFC and trainer John Hackleman acted quickly, sending Liddell home to San Luis Obispo, Calif., where he spent the next eight days in bed with pneumonia.

On Saturday night, the Iceman can reassure fans he is back and write another chapter to a stellar mixed martial arts career when he takes on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 71 at the MGM Grand.

Liddell (20-3) has already avenged losses to Randy Couture and Jeremy Horn. Only Jackson remains on the champion's `to do' list.

Liddell, 37, has looked fresh and fit in the week leading up to the fight. On the surface, it looks like business as usual preparing for the bout.

"He bounced right back," said Hackleman, "A great training camp."

Liddell admits he has had problems because he has trouble saying no. He can find himself locked into impossible postfight schedules such as the punishing promotional trip for the film "300," which he wasn't even in. During that trip came the ill-fated TV appearance.

MMA's biggest star, Liddell has been everywhere, including a cameo in TV's "Entourage."

"This guy will fight anybody, anywhere, anytime. He loved to fight, he actually likes to train," said UFC president Dana White, who used to manage Liddell. "But you know what, the fame and all the PR, and the movies, the television shows, the pressure, it gets you man. It eventually catches up with you and kicks you. ... And we saw that happen in his interview with Texas."

Jackson trainer Juanito Ibarra says he has seen fighters succumb to outside pressures. But he expects Liddell to be at his best Saturday.

"Some fighters can handle it, some fighters can be a rock star and fight," he said. "It don't last long and I don't think Chuck has been a rock star that long, so who knows? ... Chuck's a great guy and he's a great fighter. I take nothing away from him."

Jackson (26-6) himself is happy to have the spotlight on the champ.

"I'm under the radar, baby, that's the way I like it," he said.

Jackson, 28, was easy to spot when he fought in Japan for Pride Fighting Championships, which showcased the American's brute strength, punching power and solid chin.

An imposing physical specimen who doesn't bother with lifting weights, Jackson has conquered personal demons outside the ring during his career and found his faith. He says he now has the discipline, desire and training regimen to succeed, noting that early in his career he fought on junk food and sparred with amateurs.

"I'll say it a million times, he has the style to beat Chuck Liddell. He just does," Ibarra said. "You've got to fight Chuck to beat Chuck. Chuck's very smart, he's very accurate, he's very strong. Good right hand. He's well-rounded more than people know. Rampage just has the style to beat him."

Predictably, Hackleman sees it differently.

"I think it's a great matchup for Chuck, because he doesn't have to go get him. He'll come right to him and that's what Chuck likes to do. It's a picture-perfect match for Chuck," Hackelman said. "It wasn't the first time for a lot of reasons."

Both fighters said they were not 100 percent for the first fight, when Jackson dominated Liddell in November 2003.

Liddell's strategy is simple: "I've got to hit him and not get hit."

But if it comes to a slugfest, Liddell is confident he will be the last man standing.

"I'm not afraid to stand and exchange with anybody. If he wants to exchange with me, it will be fast, exciting and a short night."