By Dr. Michael Ammons
Faculty Member, School of Business at American Public University

In his heyday, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell was the greatest Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter alive. Standing over six feet tall, wearing a road warrior type of Mohawk haircut with a tattoo on his partially shaven head, he looked the part of a man you wouldn’t want to mess with.

His looks were not deceiving. The Iceman was known for his lightning-quick hands and his devastating right-hand punch that put many of his opponents to sleep early. While he had extensive experience and was highly skilled in the disciplines of wrestling and kickboxing, Chuck relied on the knockout power of his right hand to secure his numerous victories and earn the crown of Undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World.

Chuck Liddell Faces a Major Challenger

One of Chuck’s greatest fights came against MMA legend and former Light Heavyweight Champion Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz. Tito dominated the weight division for years and was one of the first MMA superstars. He paved the way for future fighters with his flamboyant style and California surfer appearance – bleached-blond hair and sun-kissed skin.

Tito was a master grappler, earning recognition at the collegiate level before transitioning to the professional ranks of MMA. In every match, Tito had a simple strategy that served him well throughout the years: he used his grappling skills to put his opponent on the mat.

Tito achieved so much success with his style of fighting that the phrase “ground and pound” was coined to describe his method of victory. From the guard position, Tito would pound an opponent with punches and elbows to the head and body. The referee would either stop the fight or Tito would win the round based on tallying a significant number of strikes.

Tito and Chuck started out as friends. But after years of back-and-forth mocking and verbal abuse, the two resolved to settle their differences in the octagon fighting cage. In Round 2 of their 2004 Ultimate Fighting Championship® bout in Las Vegas, Chuck bombarded Tito with a sequence of left and right punches that drove Tito back against the cage with both arms covering his face in self-defense.

Chuck landed a series of punches, dropping Tito to the mat before referee “Big” John McCarthy could stop the fight. The “Iceman” won the fight by a TKO, which in this sport means a Technical Knockout.

How Liddell Used a Winning Strategy to Conquer an Opponent

Chuck had one strategy – to remain on his feet. Even though he was a seasoned wrestler, Chuck used his grappling skills to avoid being taken down. One of the keys to his success in his match against Tito was his reliance on his wrestling defensive tactics to prevent being put down on the mat, where Tito had a distinct advantage.

Chuck’s strength – his competitive advantage – was his powerful striking ability while on his feet. All of his efforts centered on putting himself in the best upright position to defeat his opponent.

Even if you do not make your living as a MMA fighter like Chuck Liddell, there are some lessons to be learned by observing his strategy in the octagon.

Know Your Strengths

In MMA, many athletes describe their fighting skills as “well-rounded.” While this statement may have some elements of truth, it is impossible for any fighter to be great at everything. There are just too many disciplines to master – wrestling, boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai – just to name a few. There are strengths that shine through. For Chuck Liddell, his strength rested in his punching power.

Regardless of what industry you find yourself working in, you need to identify your strengths. If you’re unsure of what your strengths are, note the tasks that you are repeatedly asked to perform by your supervisor or your peers. For instance, during weekly department meetings, you may find yourself in a mediator role, facilitating the direction of questions and staying on task. These are the moments when you excel, so look for more opportunities.

Know How to Reposition Yourself for Success

MMA fighters are sometimes positioned by opponents in situations that neutralize their strengths. You, too, can find yourself in an area where your chances of winning are minimized. While these scenarios may not always be avoidable, have a plan in place to reposition yourself to where you need to be in order to win.

In the words of Mike Tyson: “Everyone has a plan ’till they get punched in the mouth.” In your career, you may experience some professional “punches in the mouth” that leave you at a disadvantage. You may feel disoriented, but you can still get back to a winning position.

In all of Chuck Liddell’s fights, it was no mystery to the other fighters what his key to victory was going to be. Those fighters who felt like they had an advantage over Chuck in a fight tried to take him down to the mat and force him to fight off his back, not his feet. Most of the time, Chuck prevented his opponent from taking him down through his defensive wrestling skills.

However, on those rare moments when he was taken out of position, Chuck kept fighting until he got back to his area of strength. This strategy won him fights and enabled Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell to go down as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.

In your current job and career, you will get taken out of position and may find yourself lying flat on your back. Just remember that you have the capacity to get back to a position of strength and secure your “win” in a fulfilling career.