Chuck Liddell's retirement and future as ambassador seems inevitable

In the run up to UFC 97 many observers assumed that Chuck Liddell would retire from the sport of mixed martial arts if he lost. In the aftermath we are still waiting for Liddell to officially make the announcement though it appears increasingly inevitable.

For instance, Dana White recently said,

"It's not that he [Liddell] is not going to fight anymore for the UFC, he is not going to fight anymore period."

Such certainty from the UFC president and close friend of Liddell's has led to the perception that Liddell could become an ambassador of the sport. In fact White said as much in a recent interview with MMA Junkie. However Liddell has never been the most personable or charismatic person within the UFC. Unlike Randy Couture --who briefly transitioned into a color commentator and ambassador in retirement-- Liddell has no gym or camp that elevates him into the role of wise sage of the sport.

Such a role could grate Liddell's ego and perhaps Liddell really wants to keep fighting.

Before the fight with Shogun Liddell seemed to think that his career was not on the line at UFC 97. Dana White paints a far different picture in his interview with Steve Cofield.

"I was going to make him retire after his last fight [with Rashad Evans]. He [Liddell] flew out to Vegas sat down with me, made a deal with me and assured me he would do the right things for this fight."

From this quote it appears that Dana is forcing Chuck to retire from the sport.

It is not hard to understand why. Liddell will soon be forty, and each successive knockout loss increases the potential of long-term health issues. One would hate to see Liddell as some broken down old man who looks eighty at the age of sixty, living in an apartment above a gym with no money.

Most likely White wants to keep as much of Liddell's legacy intact. Another loss to a lesser opponent could further degregate Liddell's career. Often with older athletes they simply cannot give up their sport until forced out, or so fully beaten that there is no way they can keep lying to themselves that they can compete at a high level.

Then there is competition. Liddell is still the top MMA draw and other MMA promotions would be wise to elicit his services if he became available. This would fully represent the 'boxification' of MMA, where a fighter's popularity and money making potential is more important than the divisional and championship picture. The UFC is not foolish and in no way will they ever let Liddell become a free agent. Much like the Brett Farve saga in Green Bay the UFC will do everything within their power to keep Liddell a UFC employee even in retirement.

A fitting last chapter for one of the most memorable fighters in MMA.