Prime Chuck Liddell vs Prime Bas Rutten

[flyingscissorsheelhook]

A big factor would be if Chuck decided to wrestle. His wrestling was very good but he never used it. Wrestling was the big hole in Bas' game, he was awesome at everything else.

In a UFC cage with UFC rules Chuck could take Bas down and possibly hold him down, the question is: would he?

I would pick Bas in a striking battle.

 

[Goober8008]

Such an interesting match up. I know MMA math doesn't work but look at their fights versus Randleman. Bas was taken down again and again and tried to KO Randleman but couldnt' before he hit the deck. Now that was Chucks bread and butter, clipping wrestlers rushing him, but stilll... Chuck definitely had more power in his a prime and a chin unlike anyone. I could see the fight going much like Chuck's fight with Overeem. He's going to be picked apart by a more technical kickboxer, until he sneaks one of those shots in from his awkward angle, and sleeps Bas. I'd probably say it's like a %70 KO for Chuck. I don't understand why people say chuck would Wrestlefuck Bas...when in Chuck's prime did he not oblige anyone, ANYONE, in a standup brawl? It wasn't until his fight with Wanderlei that we ever saw such a move from Chuck...and it was WEIRD. Come on Chuck...why didn't you just bang it out that last 60 seconds? That's what we all wanted to see! Oh wait, what was this thread about?

 

[laleggenda27]

Such an interesting match up. I know MMA math doesn't work but look at their fights versus Randleman. Bas was taken down again and again and tried to KO Randleman but couldnt' before he hit the deck. Now that was Chucks bread and butter, clipping wrestlers rushing him, but stilll... Chuck definitely had more power in his a prime and a chin unlike anyone. I could see the fight going much like Chuck's fight with Overeem. He's going to be picked apart by a more technical kickboxer, until he sneaks one of those shots in from his awkward angle, and sleeps Bas. I'd probably say it's like a %70 KO for Chuck. I don't understand why people say chuck would Wrestlefuck Bas...when in Chuck's prime did he not oblige anyone, ANYONE, in a standup brawl? It wasn't until his fight with Wanderlei that we ever saw such a move from Chuck...and it was WEIRD. Come on Chuck...why didn't you just bang it out that last 60 seconds? That's what we all wanted to see! Oh wait, what was this thread about?

Comparing this hypothetical match to Chuck-Overeem is a bit dubious because, in that fight, Overeem did what Overeem does. He was more technical, but he folded after a few minutes. Bas is a different animal. However, I do agree with your point about Chuck's wrestling. People who think Chuck would have wrestled Bas obviously didn't pay enough attention to Chuck's career.

I could see this fight going either way, but I might lean a bit toward Bas. Chuck's bread and butter was knocking out wrestlers. In a certain way, I suppose he was fortunate that most of the top LHWs in the UFC were wrestlers, while the better strikers were in Pride. I tend to think that Bas would figure out a way to survive a scary moment or two against Chuck, and pull out a decision.

 

[Einstein]

Bas' kicks would make the difference

 

[Frode Falch]

Prime chuck would win.

 

[Norcim]

Hard to decide but I think Bas' kicks would eventually wear Chuck down and Bas would get the sub.

Maybe.