One of the biggest stars of his own era in the sport, Chuck Liddell has his own theories as to why nobody has matched the stardom of Conor McGregor, despite his UFC hiatus.
Revered as the promotion’s first-ever breakout star in a mainstream sense, Chuck Liddell enjoyed a memorable run as the light heavyweight champion during his infamous run in the Octagon in the 2000s.
And even inspiring Conor McGregor during his own upstart in the sport, Liddell has an array of ideas as to why, in the last four years of his inactivity, nobody has managed to eclipse the Dublin striker.
Chuck Liddell suggests theory on Conor McGregor’s unmatchable stardom
Sitting down with RG recently, Liddell shared his thoughts on the change in scenery in the UFC nowadays compared to his pomp in the organization.
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As far as he’s concerned, the UFC may be oversaturated with fighters now, leaving fans with too much product to get to grips with.
To boot, too many fighters, in his opinion at least, aren’t necessarily doing enough to force the issue and make themselves stand out from the pack.
“There are guys who are doing just enough to win, not trying to commit to fighting,” Liddell said.
“I think it’s kind of going back to people realize that if you finish fights, you’ll be more famous,” Liddell continued. “You’ll make more money, whatever motivates you, so that people kind of move back towards finishing fights.”
And while many have been touted as the next breakout star, Ilia Topuria has been touted as the best candidate to take the baton from his rival McGregor.
In the same breath, however, Liddell has his own thoughts regarding if the UFC actually need another star to match, if not overtake, McGregor.
Chuck Liddell weighs in on if the UFC need a new star
A much bigger product in the modern era, when compared to his time in the sport, the UFC has more than reached the social zeitgeist.
And as far as Liddell is concerned, if a star is to emerge in the same vein as a Conor McGregor — or even a Ronda Rousey — they will in their own time.
Furthermore, Liddell is doubtful if a new big, megastar is even needed by the UFC in this era.
“I don’t know if they [the UFC] necessarily need it [another big star],” Liddell said.
“But it’s one of those things that will happen as they come.”