The purpose of my post isn't to rip Liddell. He's a hell of a fighter. That said, I doubt any well-versed MMA analysts would agree with your characterization of Liddell's technicality. At best, Liddell's punches are described as "unorthodox" and his overhand haymaker thing is about as untechnical as you can get. Many times it's effective, but I don't think it will be against top-notch strikers. Actually, I think Anderson Silva could catch him if they were to match up. It's telling what Anderson Silva has done in his short time in the UFC. In Pride he was a notch below the best at his weight. In the UFC he exposed the supposed "great striker", Rich Franklin, and is the best striker in the UFC now. Cro Cop will illustrate the same deficiencies very soon, as well.
Vanderlei has serious Muay Thai skills that Liddell lacks. Silva certainly walks into his fair share of shots. Many more times than not, though, he keeps on his feet. The "Vanderlei has a glass chin" commentary is vastly overblown. He's lost to a couple of heavyweights in the best organization out there. Any losses in his weight class have been decisions. Big deal?
To even compare Tito Ortiz or Babalu's ground game and takedowns with Arona is crazy, IMO. Tito continues to look worse and though Babalu is a great fighter, he's not on the level of Arona. The only person Liddell's faced with better takedowns is Randleman, and there is no comparison in subs between Arona and Randleman.
I would agree that the more rules you add, specifically UFC rules, the better chance Liddell has in these matchups. The more rules you add, the more the resolution of who is the better fighter gets distorted. When head butts were eliminated, it took away a major weapon of the wrestlers and changed entirely how they must work within the guard. Take away kicks/knees to the head on the ground, and you take away a weapon of strikers and give an advantage to grapplers. I realize that to be sanctioned in the US, the UFC had to institute all these limitations. It's still a great product, but all things considered, I'd rather see Pride stay out of the US if it means accepting all these limitations.
