Chuck Liddell, Matt Hughes part ways with UFC

[Wild]

Both Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes are no longer employed by the UFC.

The legendary MMA fighters were recently among another group of employees laid off by new owners, WME-IMG, MMA Fighting has confirmed. According to multiple sources, approximately 10-15 employees were let go this week.

None more famous than Liddell and Hughes, though.

Liddell, considered one of the greatest light-heavyweight champions ever, retired from the sport in 2010 following his third-straight knockout loss. He was subsequently named UFC executive vice president of business development.

In addition to being one of the greatest fighters to ever compete in the UFC, Liddell is a long-time personal friend of UFC president Dana White.

As is Hughes, also considered to be one of the greatest champions (welterweight) in the sport's history. Hughes retired from the sport in 2013 following two knockout losses in a row and promptly accepted a position within the company as vice president of athlete development and government relations.

"The UFC has been great to me," Hughes told MMA Fighting Friday night. "Times change, and I understand the decision that was made. I will move on. My family and I are fine."

Liddell, Hughes part ways with UFC

 

[Too swole to control]

So does he only have one eyebrow now?

 

[TheEmperorRises]

2017 is gonna be a very interesting year....

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

lol the fertelli's will buy it back for pennies on the dollar just like they did with their casinos.. watch.

 

[member 3289]

So 2 guys who basically did nothing for the company get fired when the new owners start to look for ways to cut costs?

Shocking

 

[Yossarian]

My concern is with the fighters now that they can't depend on their rock, Matt Hughes himself, VP of Athlete Development and Government Relations. How are these athletes supposed to develop now? And what about the government? I am deeply worried...

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Not shocking, but it goes to show that you can quickly be brushed aside. Especially by new owners.

All fighters should treat any interaction with UFC execs as "pure pure business". This actually holds true for all orgs.

Anyways, there is no loyalty, only to the almighty dollar

 

[TheEmperorRises]

So 2 guys who basically did nothing for the company get fired when the new owners start to look for ways to cut costs?

Shocking

Those two guys kept the company afloat for awhile.

 

[member 3289]

Those two guys kept the company afloat for awhile.

No they didn't, but even if they had, their "positions" were a bit of a joke.

Sucks they got canned, and I'd never wish that on anyone, but come on. Business is business.

 

[Too swole to control]

So 2 guys who basically did nothing for the company get fired when the new owners start to look for ways to cut costs?

Shocking

 

[Tom O'Bedlam]

"So Chuck, what would you say your day consists of as VP of Business Development?"

"Um, you know. I do a lot of naked elliptical with my big tittied girlfriend. Of course there's the blow... Um... Excuse me but... Where am I and who are you?"

 

[TheEmperorRises]

No they didn't, but even if they had, their "positions" were a bit of a joke.

Sucks they got canned, and I'd never wish that on anyone, but come on. Business is business.

Yes, they did.

Chuck Liddell was the Conor of his era. He was white, tattooed, and knocking guys out. He helped establish the brand.

Matt Hughes was the Ronda Rousey of that same era. Hard to ignore what he accomplished in the cage, but such a bitch that it was a pleasure to see him get his ass kicked.

 

[member 3289]

Yes, they did.

Chuck Liddell was the Conor of his era. He was white, tattooed, and knocking guys out. He helped establish the brand.

Matt Hughes was the Ronda Rousey of that same era. Hard to ignore what he accomplished in the cage, but such a bitch that it was a pleasure to see him get his ass kicked.

No, no, no, and no.

Stop the hyperbole. Neither one ever sold over 200,000 PPV's at his best event.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

No, no, no, and no.

Stop the hyperbole. Neither one ever sold over 200,000 PPV's at his best event.

It was a different time. They didn't trend on social media either. #TwitterDidn'tf'nExist

 

[TheEmperorRises]

No, no, no, and no.

Stop the hyperbole. Neither one ever sold over 200,000 PPV's at his best event.

And actually....

5. CHUCK LIDDELL VS. TITO ORTIZ, UFC 66 (12/30/2006)
PPV breaks 1,000,000 buys, and UFC outgrosses boxing and pro wrestling for the year.

Lorenzo Fertitta: “Tito was the champion. Chuck was a guy that was a faithful friend but at the same time Tito had what he wanted, which was the belt. He made no bones about it. Tito took it very personally. And a rivalry was born.”

Fertitta on most important fights in UFC history

 

[member 3289]

And actually....

5. CHUCK LIDDELL VS. TITO ORTIZ, UFC 66 (12/30/2006)
PPV breaks 1,000,000 buys, and UFC outgrosses boxing and pro wrestling for the year.

Lorenzo Fertitta: “Tito was the champion. Chuck was a guy that was a faithful friend but at the same time Tito had what he wanted, which was the belt. He made no bones about it. Tito took it very personally. And a rivalry was born.”

Fertitta on most important fights in UFC history

Didn't realize it had done so many.

But still, stop comparing Chuck to Conor or I'm putting you on ignore.

 

[KWingJitsu]

Holeee shit...

Someone on here called it in one of these threads.
These cheap ass mothafuckas are gonna run the UFC in a sweat shop in China at this rate....

 

[Nemo?]

Didn't realize it had done so many.

But still, stop comparing Chuck to Conor or I'm putting you on ignore.

 

[SCADA]

Lol...imagine that. Haha

 

[delightone]

lol the fertelli's will buy it back for pennies on the dollar just like they did with their casinos.. watch.

Hmmm that's an interesting perspective, if it all goes to shit they will build it up again?
I really wonder what the goal is these knew owners have they must see something they can squeeze.
That these two were getting fired wasn't a big suprise, the vice presidents of having a steady income didn't really mean much

 

[1031]

I kinda hope Goldberg is on this way out as well...they could get rid of no-ass as a ring girl and see if she could host some stupid ufc get-to-know the new talent show.
Hopefully, the more they get rid of the dead weight, the more fighters can make, and the more opportunities there will be to fight outside the US.

 

[Robbie Hart]

I kinda hope Goldberg is on this way out as well...they could get rid of no-ass as a ring girl and see if she could host some stupid ufc get-to-know the new talent show.
Hopefully, the more they get rid of the dead weight, the more fighters can make, and the more opportunities there will be to fight outside the US.

I doubt they are looking to pay fighters more regardless of reasons for cutbacks......I believe you will hear about a bunch of fighters being cut soon

 

[1031]

I doubt they are looking to pay fighters more regardless of reasons for cutbacks......I believe you will hear about a bunch of fighters being cut soon

You're probably right but with a smaller workforce, there are fewer fights that can happen...hypothetically :/

 

[Silverball]

 

[madmav]

guess we will see chuck and matt in some freak show fights in bellator soon.. meanwhile there will be extra snow for dana's driveway this year