In the centre of an unassuming sports hall in Coventry, a huddle of several dozen bodies stood crowded yet focused. The members of oval group wore a mixture of gloves, shin pads, rash guards, kickboxing trousers, shorts and shin guards; yet they had temporarily halted the practicing their punches against each other to listen to the wisdom of one man.
In the centre of the mass of cluster of martial artists was Chuck Liddell, former UFC light heavyweight champion, UFC Hall of Famer and known as a man with one of the most dangerous overhand right's in the world. He demonstrated punching on his partner in a manner that only Chuck could, the unmistakable way he throws his fists that swarms his opponent. The students absorbed his demonstration of a combination followed by a single leg pick up and then all broke to practice themselves.
A gym in the back end of Coventry is not the most likely place to find The Iceman, but many had made the journey to train with the former champ as part of the Fighters Inc group of Super Seminars around the UK. With stop offs including Sheffield, London, Bournemouth and Cork; Liddell had seen many of bright lights of the UK's finest cities. Fighters Inc., who have been working with Liddell since 2006, have promised to bring more fighters from the international scene to the UK to teach at various locations across the UK.
While the pairs drilled their pummelling-to-elbow technique, the veteran came round to give small refinements to their form and often shared his favourite variations that have worked for him in the cage. Every time he parted with some advice to a couple, a group would form around him, listening in or maybe just enjoying be near to the genuine article; painted blue toe nails and all.
The seminar closed out with a Q&A session for the fans to ask Chuck anything they wanted. The obvious queries were raised about when he would make his return and who against, but all Liddell could say is that he didn't know when, or where, or with who, but he wanted to fight again soon. Although suggestions were thrown out about Ortiz, Chuck threw them aside stating how Tito never wanted to fight him and the whole series of The Ultimate Fighter with him scheduled to fight The Huntington Beach Bad Boy was all a farce due to Tito planning to not fight in the first place.
The final question and most interesting was a request to hear Chuck's thoughts on Paul Daley being thrown out of the UFC; Chuck had to pick his words wisely in front of the UK audience. He made it clear that he didn't support any of Daley's actions, stating the cheap shot after the bell was not professional, stating that "you are going to do that just because you couldn't hurt him in the three rounds? He didn't even hurt him after the bell! He had three rounds to figure out how to beat him."
After the applause of thanks, the fans formed an orderly queue in order to get their hero to sign books, shake his hand and get a photo. Greeting every patient enthusiast with a smile, it was clear that Chuck really did get a thrill from his supporters. Although some have questioned whether his career is finished, it is clear that no matter what choice Chuck makes for his next step he will always have the love of his fans.
The organiser of the event Anthony Pillage said " To have someone of the quality of Chuck visiting us in Coventry speaks volumes for the way the club is rapidly becoming one of the country's major martial arts players".
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