2. Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell UFC 115
At one time Chuck Liddell was the most recognizable name and face in the sport. He appeared on popular TV shows, in movies, and was almost a household name.
It didn’t seem like the end of Chuck’s career when Rampage Jackson KO’d him and took his title, after all Jackson was a huge star in Pride and it set up a possible rematch down the line. But then Liddell kept losing fights. He lost a split decision to Keith Jardine next, and while he would find a way to KO Wanderlei Silva after that, things would only get worse.
At UFC 88 Rashad Evans knocked Liddell clean out. It was the kind of knockout where his body is completely turned off; no movement and no signs of life. Like many who have been knocked out repeatedly, Liddell’s chin had been reduced to near zero. It was so obvious that when Rich Franklin KO’d him in the 1st round at UFC 115, even Franklin looked sad for him. Everyone knew that a legend’s career was over.
