Aftermath
Following their rubber match, both fighters continued to be very visible figures in the MMA world, with Liddell as the reigning UFC Light heavyweight Champion and Couture as an MMA commentator and coach. Liddell would go on to defend his belt multiple times before losing it to Quinton Jackson at UFC 71. Couture would eventually come out of retirement to fight and defeat Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 for the UFC Heavyweight Title. Both began making multiple appearances in movies and television shows which helped mixed martial arts grow even more in popularity. "The Iceman" has recently retired after a three fight losing streak against fellow former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Rashad Evans, Mauricio Rua, and former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin. Couture would continue fighting until the age of 47 and go on a three fight win streak including victories over Brandon Vera, fellow UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Mark Coleman, and 11 time boxing champion James Toney. "The Natural" would fight fellow former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida at UFC 129. After a brutal flying front kick knockout, Couture would once again declare his resignation from Mixed martial arts at the age of 47.
Today, many sports and media analysts credit Couture and Liddell for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment. During this time, Couture joined MMA legends Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn by becoming the fourth inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame. Liddell joined Couture when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in July 2009.
Read more about this topic: Randy Couture Vs. Chuck Liddell
Famous quotes containing the word aftermath:
“The aftermath of joy is not usually more joy.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)