Chuck Liddell known as “The Iceman” has announced his retirement from the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 29, 2010. Liddell, along with Tito Ortiz and Randy Couture, was instrumental in introducing MMA (mixed martial arts) into American sports and entertainment culture.

Liddell earned the UFC light heavyweight title when he knocked-out Randy Couture in the first round of a bout on April 16, 2005. This victory avenged an earlier defeat to Couture in 2002 and Liddell would go on to defeat Couture again in 2006.

Liddell’s final match was against Rich Franklin on June 12, 2010 in which Franklin fractured his arm blocking a Liddell kick, but managed to knock out Liddell with his other arm in the first round.

Liddell also worked in front of the camera performing on “Dancing with the Stars” and in many movies, including “Drillbit Taylor” and “The Death and Life of Bobby Z”. He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame on July 10, 2009.