Liddell Grappling in preparation for Shogun with Danillo Villefort

Published on: 20th March, 2009

Liddell says he wants Shogun to prove he is in shape  | read this item

Liddell has enlisted Danillo Villefort for grappling

As we approach UFC 97 in the month of April a high profile Light Heavyweight bout is set to take place between former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua with the winner moving one step up the very long ladder in the 205 pound division and the loser pondering what could happen next. Earlier this week it was reported that Shogun had enlisted the services of undefeated UFC Middleweight Demian Maia to work on his grappling and now it appears that while Liddell has been working out with the fighters over at American Top Team he has been working with WEC Welterweight fighter Danillo Villefort for the exact same thing.

Villefort

During an interview with BrasilCombate.com.br via Fighters Only Magazine Villefort discusses the time he has spent sparring and just hanging out with Liddell who commented that the man was flying all over the place while training.

“One Saturday we went to a fashion show and everyone was drinking champagne and he was enjoying a yogurt drink which he had taken from home!”

“The guy is flying! I have heard some stories about Shogun enjoying the carnival [holiday in Brazil]. My carnival was in San Louis Obispo fighting Liddell.” said Villefort.

Villefort has said that he has been working with Liddell on his grappling from top half guard as he says that Shogun is at his best when he is in half guard position. Also, when asked about what will be going down when Liddell and Shogun do meet inside the Octagon, Villefort added that should the fight not end in the first round Liddell will have the advantage based on his conditioning.

“It will be a very good fight to watch. I think if the fight doesn’t finish in the first round Chuck will take the advantage through cardio. But I cannot tell anything 100% surely because I didn’t see Shogun training,” he said.

I am pretty sure that this fight is huge for both Liddell and Shogun and like the UFC 97 title this is a big shot of “Redemption” for either man that comes out victorious.

 Nelson Rodriguez AKA: Nelo2.0 is the Co - Owner of URDirt.com who is also an Editor and Author on the site. Read more from this author

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