Report: Chuck vs. Wanderlei could still happen in December

Loretta Hunt of The Fight Network has a new article regarding the status of Chuck Liddell. According to Hunt, Liddell has resumed training in San Luis Obispo with longtime trainer John Hackleman.

Hackleman tells Hunt that a fight in December between Liddell and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua appeared to be in the plans with the well-known fight trainer informing UFC officials that Liddell would accept the match.

However, Rua is now on the shelf after reportedly undergoing knee surgery and is not expected to fight again this year. Rua’s unavailability has apparently re-opened the possibility of a Liddell vs. Wanderlei Silva dream match at UFC 79 on Dec. 29:

“We though it was going to be ‘Shogun,’” Hackleman said, “but now instead of saying ‘no’ to Wanderlei [Silva], they’re saying maybe.”

While Liddell was more than willing to fight Rua, it sounds as though he’s still plenty eager to hop into the Octagon with Silva.

“We’ve wanted Wanderlei all along,” Hackleman said. “When I told Chuck [it was still a possibility], he was almost as excited about it as when he found out he was fighting Tito [Ortiz].”

While Liddell vs. Silva is still far from being definite, “maybe” is better than “no” for long-time MMA fans who have waited over five years to see the two light heavyweight titans square off.