LAS VEGAS - UFC President Dana White during a live press conference on Wednesday announced that former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Fame member Chuck Liddell was retiring from competing, adding that he would becoming the organization's Executive Vice President of Business Development."Chuck is the perfect example of a UFC athlete, someone who is smart inside the Octagon and smart in business," White said during the press conference, which was held for the lightweight title fight between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard at UFC 125 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
"With his background and expertise, Chuck is exactly the guy we need to work with regulators in existing and new jurisdictions, and work with all of the UFC athletes, as we grow this business around the world," White added.
UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta noted that Liddell's duties will include work on fighter relations and government regulation throughout the U.S. and internationally, but that Liddell's main focus would be on developing new business for the company.
"I love the sport and I'm excited to go into a new stage in my life and keep promoting something that I love," Liddell said.
"I've enjoyed everything about being a professional athlete and a UFC champion. At this point in my life though, the real challenge for me is to continue helping the UFC become the global powerhouse that we all know it will become. I look forward to working with everyone at the UFC, especially all of the fighters, to make the UFC the biggest and most successful sports organization."
Liddell began fighting in the UFC in 1998, and also appeared as one of the coaches on Seasons 1 and 11 of The Ultimate Fighter. In addition, Liddell graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with an Accounting degree.
Copyright 2010 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved.
