King of the concrete jungle

I just read ESPN’s page 2, Allison Glock writes up a story on Chuck Liddell, providing the reader a good snap shot of his background and demeanor. I’ve known and know of Chuck since my college days and wanted post both the ESPN story and a quick letter I wrote about one moment I witnessed Chuck’s abilities.

Here’s the ESPN story: This guy scares you?

Is Chuck Liddell the biggest badass on the planet?

He may very well be. As Allison has portrayed Chuck, he’s never been one to showboat, thug, or pick fights for proof or purpose; which is also uncanny when compared to most MMA fighters or even boxers today. His confidence and poise alone are enough intimidation to scare the shit out of most sober or intelligent men.

I’ve known Chuck from attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (SLO) in ’96 to 2000 , through mutual bartender friends, bouncers and kick boxing enthusiast and as far back as I can remember he’s always been this way and I don’t foresee much chance of change with celebrity.

The moment that I remember in college that made me realize this guy is not only someone you don’t want to mess with and that he’s got more talent in one action, than many fighters have in a full round, was a take down in a bar in 99. It could have been any weekday night in SLO, part of a community where the retired population out number the college students. Chuck worked part time as a bartender slash bouncer at The Library, one of a handful of serviceable bars on Higuera St. He was commanding crowd control with one look and pouring one dollar beers in the next motion.

This was a no frills bar with the primary decor, at the time, being a larger than life size picture of a librarian captured shushing the crowd with her index finger over her mouth. On most nights, Chuck seemed to be the only one accommodating her. Two novice 21 and liquored boys began to draw attention of the packed bar crowd as their argument grew in fervor. Chuck had an astute comprehension then, of when conflict would escalate to violence and had already motioned to the end of the bar closest to the fray.

Locals that frequent the Library are aware of Chuck and for the most part know not to start a fight in his bar. Before the first punch was landed, Chuck had already stepped up on the 4 foot bar and launched himself over three rows of kids pressed up at the bar clamoring for drinks. With a precision I had not ever seen before live, he locked up the instigator in a one-armed choke hold with his left and grabbed the other by the back of the neck with his right. Dragging both to the door as if a lion could drag its kill and cub at the same time.

The first was out cold before reaching the sidewalk and Chuck laid him out in the gutter for the street sweepers to pick up during their morning routes. Stunned by both the grip and the quickness Chuck had disposed of his attacker, the other kid cowered awaiting punishment. Chuck simply stated “You’re out. No fighting in the bar.”, released him and calmly walked back in to resume his duties behind the counter.

Patrons pausing to watch the action and students waiting in line outside, either stood mouths agape or nodded their heads in understanding. It was a quick lesson or a known understanding then, you just don’t fuck with Chuck.