MaXfighting: You were supposed to be the honorary coach at the Freedom Fight 2005 event coming up in July, but you pulled out.  What happened with that contractually where you had to back out?

 Chuck Liddell: Yeah, there were some contractual problems with being involved with that.  I’m trying to prepare for the Jeremy Horn fight.  The biggest thing was if you look at the poster they were using, it looked like I was fighting at the event.  You had to look pretty close to see that I was just coaching.  That was the main reason I couldn’t do it, the way the poster was promoting it.

 MF: You also have some fight team members to support in up-coming action.  I hear that Antonio Banuelos [135-pounder; 7-2 record] is fighting in an upcoming event.  Can you tell us a little about that?

 CL: I think the promotion he’ll be fighting is the WFF…it’s a SHOOTO sanctioned event.  So I’ll be there in his corner helping him out.  We’re just trying to keep him busy and find fights for him.

 MF: I know you’ve talked about UFC 52 a bunch of times, but after all of the big wins you’ve had, when you beat Randy was it more a relief to finally be on top, or just excitement?

 CL: It was definitely exciting.  I had a lot of fights to get there, but it was more excitement than anything.

 MF: I know you fought in the 2003 Pride tournament.  Have you been able to follow the 2005 tournament at all?

 CL: Nah, I really haven’t been able to keep up with that.

 MF: Obviously a lot of people would love to see a super-fight between you and one of the semi-finalists, Wanderlei Silva.  How much would you like to get in there with him?

 CL: Oh yeah!  Definitely.  I’d love to get in there and fight him.  That would be a great fight.

 MF: Is there anything you see in him that you can take advantage of, or is there something in your game that you think would help you take him out?

 CL: It would definitely be a striker’s war.  We’d be in there trading.  I feel I have a better chin than he does…I also hit harder.  But it would be a great fight and I’d love for it to happen.  I feel I’d knock him out.

 MF: Do you think it would ever be able to happen?  Contractually it would be tough.  UFC has sent a few guys over there, but Pride hasn’t returned the favor.

 CL: It’s on Pride to get it done.  UFC has been frustrated trying to work with them.  Whether it can get done, it’s on Pride.

MF: So now you’re fighting Jeremy Horn.  I was at 53 when they announced that, and as a hardcore fan I was pumped to see that fight happening.  The first fight between you two was a long ways back.  Can you take anything from that fight, or are you basically starting from scratch?

 CL: Nah, neither of us can get anything from that.  That was back in ’98.  That won’t help either of us.

 MF: You’ve started training already I assume?

 CL: Definitely.

 MF: How does your training progress as the fight gets closer?

 CL: About 8 weeks to go it gets harder, a lot more intense.  With about 2 weeks left the pace slows a little bit.  Then the last week, cut back a bit more and mainly just try and stay sharp.

MF: Is there anything in particular you are doing to prepare for Jeremy Horn?  Are you basically expecting he’ll try and take it to the ground, or do you think he might surprise people and actually try and stand with you like Tito did?

CL: Well Tito didn’t really stand with me.  Basically he just wasn’t able to go for the takedown.  [Jeremy’s] going to have to stand at least at the start.  But eventually he’ll try and go to the ground.  He’s a smart fighter; he knows it’s too risky to keep it standing.  I’ll definitely be ready for him.

MF: Horn has fought a lot of tough competition over the years, but he hasn’t been in one of the big two organizations [Pride and UFC] in a few years.  Do you think he’ll be that much more dangerous since he’ll be hungry?

CL: Well it’s definitely a big shot for him.  He’s been out of the limelight for a while.  Really anybody is dangerous.  But hungry or not he’s definitely one of the most dangerous guys out there, so he’s gonna be really tough.

MF: Sorry, but I have to ask the typical reality show question.  Have you seen any of the episodes, and if so did they portray what went on accurately?

CL: Well I have seen a little, but to be honest I didn’t see most of it.  And really all I saw while I was there was the training and fighting aspect.  I had other things to take care of so I didn’t get to see much on TV…I guess I would like to check out some of it to see how accurate the show was.

MF: Do you keep in touch with a lot of the TUF guys?

CL: Yeah, Definitely.  I still talk to a lot of them.

MF: Well I know you spent plenty of time with Forrest Griffin, and probably saw Nate Quarry train as well.  Were you surprised how well they both did at UFC 53?

CL: No, not at all.  They’re both great fighters.

MF: Do you know why Forrest smiles so much when he’s getting punched in the face?

CL: He’s just a different cat.  He loves what he does, that’s his personality.  He has a great personality, he’s a funny guy, and he just loves to fight.

MF: How are you handling all of the extra attention you get between the reality show and winning the title?  Is it hard to deal with, or are you getting used to it?

CL: I’m doing OK with it.  It’s mainly people who watch the fights that notice me.  It’s been slowly building for a while, but with the show and everything, there’s definitely been a big jump.

MF: So now you get to fight Jeremy again, you won your rematch with Randy.  The other guy out there that put a mark on your record is Quinton Jackson.  He could be a free agent soon, and perhaps end up in the UFC.  If that could happen would you want another shot at him?

CL:  Definitely!  Absolutely.  That was one of my poorest performances.  That was a bad fight.  I’d LOVE another shot at him.

MF: Is getting revenge for your previous losses important to you, or is it just a side bonus?

CL: I guess more of a side bonus.

MF: I know this is old news, but is there any bad blood left between you and Tito, or is that water under the bridge for you?

CL: Well I haven’t really talked to him much, and he hasn’t talked to me much.

MF: Do you think what he’s doing is good for the sport as far as the things he’s been saying and holding out on re-signing?

CL: Well I haven’t really heard what he’s been saying.

MF: Basically, he feels he’s a big draw, and he deserves a lot more money because of his drawing power, etc.

CL: Well I don’t think he is that big of a draw by himself.  I mean if you look at his last couple fights…it depends who he’s fighting.  If we fought again people would want to see it, but they’d be watching to see me knock him out again.

MF: Well I don’t want to take up anymore of your time.  Are there any closing comments you’d want to make, sponsors, fans?

CL: Definitely...  Thanks to Xyience, all my other sponsors, and to everyone out there supporting me.  And if you want to find out more about what I’m doing, my website is www.iceman.tv (or www.icemanmma.com).

MF: All right.  Thanks again for your time.  We appreciate it.  Good luck against Horn

CL: Thanks.