A Pioneer Of MMA Retires

Chuck Liddell, former light heavyweight champion, and a pioneer of modern day mixed martial arts, announced his retirement from professional fighting today. SI.com and the AP has the story below.

The "Iceman" said Wednesday that he will become an executive vice president for business development with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the promotion that rocketed him to stardom in the United States more than a decade ago.

Liddell announced his retirement during a news conference for UFC 125 on Saturday night.

The former collegiate wrestler made his UFC debut in 1998 and quickly became one of the sport's most popular fighters. He fought nearly every big name in mixed martial arts, including Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz and Wanderlei Silva.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/mma/12/29/liddell.retires.ap/index.html#ixzz19YFmWtNS

Fight fans will miss Liddell in the octagon. However, many of those same fight fans knew this announcement was overdue.