Is Chuck Liddell on the Way Back Up?

The UFC can breathe again. Their No. 1 star, Chuck Liddell, is back in the good graces of MMA fans after defeating rival Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision at UFC 79.

The Silva win was crucial to Liddell’s career for two reasons. One, the fight came after poor performances against Quinton Jackson and Keith Jardine. Two, the Liddell-Silva fight was a classic. It wasn’t the main event at UFC 79 (that spot went to Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes), but it was the Fight of the Night.

Getting Liddell back into the Light Heavyweight title picture may take some time. Jackson is going to be a coach for The Ultimate Fighter 7 and will fight Forrest Griffin at the conclusion of the series. But a big-money bout between Liddell and Shogun Rua would merit main-event consideration. Liddell’s shelf life may be short at age 38, but count on the UFC to keep selling this product.