It should come as no surprise that Chuck Liddell announced his retirement but I disagree that he is completely done, as it has always been my opinion that if one is still a legitimate skillful fight they should change their style before opting for retirement. I said the same thing of Roy Jones, both he and Chuck are still legitimate contenders in their respective sports, the problem is we all age and your fighting style must accommodate how your body changes. Roy Jones relied on his inhuman reflexes and hand speed but as he got older his reflexes and hand speed slowed and as a result he should adjust his style. One only needs to point to Bernard Hopkins, who at 43 successfully and convincingly beat Kelly Pavik who was currently undefeated and almost half Hopkins age! the reason for this is because hopkins has a style that accomodates his age and body while harnessing a weapon more deadly than the hardest punch, experience. Both Chuck and Roy have extensive experience in the ring and in the cage, should they decide to adjust the way they fight according to their age they both could regain and in most cases retain their top positions.
Now don't get me wrong, as I am all about a fighter choosing to retire if he feels like his health is in jepordy, but in Chucks case it seems like
Dana white is the one making the decision.Even though Liddell did not say it in the post fight interview, he is retired. According to Dana White, Liddell is going to retire. At the post fight news conference Liddell made an appearance and told the media "I'm not going to make any decisions until I go home to talk to everybody, talk to my people and my friends. ... But it's probably safe to say (I'm retired)."
While I don't doubt Danas sincerity, unless it is readily obvious that the fighters health is a serious risk if he choose to continue, it should be up to the fighter if he is going to retire or not.
