Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, the face of the UFC from 2004-07, is retiring from the sport he helped put on the map.

One of the most well-known fighters in MMA and UFC history, Liddell announced Wednesday he is retiring from fighting but will remain with the UFC as the Executive Vice President of Business Development.

Liddell and his trademark mohawk helped make MMA a mainstream sport for fight fans, dominating the sport for a four-year period and also put UFC into the mainstream limelight with countless appearances on TV and radio shows, magazines and video games.

“He’s been more than a friend, more than a fighter, and more than a champion,” UFC president Dana White said in a statement. “This is a big deal for us.”

Called “the greatest light heavyweight in UFC history” on the UFC website, Liddell ruled the sport as the light heavyweight champion from April 2005 to May 2007. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame last year.

White and UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta announced Wednesday that Liddell will remain with the UFC as the organization’s Executive Vice President of Business Development, working on fighter and government regulations, and business development for an organization he fought for since 1998.

“I want to thank Frank (Fertitta), Lorenzo and Dana for everything they’ve done for me over the years, and the sport,” Liddell said. “Most of all I want to thank my fans and my family. I love the sport and I’m excited to go into a new stage in my life and keep promoting the best sport in the world, the sport I love.”

Over his 12-year fighting career, the 205-pound, former Cal Poly wrestler evolved into one of the most feared strikers in the UFC.

From 2004-07, he became the face of the sport and compiled a seven-fight unbeaten streak that included knockout wins over Randy Couture (twice), Tito Ortiz (twice), Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Jeremy Horn.

Share