Randy Couture was the defending UFC heavyweight champion and was making his third title defense against grappling standout Josh Barnett. The origins of the trilogy go back to UFC 36 on March 22, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Going on a 9 fight win streak before the fight with Couture, Liddell had 11 victories with only one loss to submission specialist Jeremy Horn. Couture had developed a feared reputation as a wrestler who could strike. Liddell was a rising light heavyweight contender before the first fight. Couture moved down to light heavyweight after two consecutive losses against larger grapplers Josh Barnett, and Ricco Rodriguez, both with the heavyweight title at stake.

Background īefore the first meeting between the two, Randy Couture fought at heavyweight and was heavyweight champion twice before the first match-up. At the third and final match-up Liddell once again won, making it 2–1 for himself, by KO at 1:28 in the second round. The second time, after The Ultimate Fighter 1, at UFC 52, Liddell won by knockout at 2:06 in the very first round. By this victory he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. All three fights have ended in knockout and have been for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.Īt the first meeting at UFC 43, Couture won by technical knockout at 2:40 in the third round. All three fights took place under Ultimate Fighting Championship in the United States. Chuck 'The Iceman' Liddell is a mixed martial arts trilogy.

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Iceman by Chuck Liddell