Last year, UFC head honcho Dana White caused a stir when he named “Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, and Georges St-Pierre” as part of his new Mount Rushmore list, notably omitting key figures like MMA legend and UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell. ‘The Iceman’ played a pivotal role in bringing the UFC and MMA into the mainstream, helping grow the sport and making the promotion a fan favorite during its formative years in the 2000s.

Alongside fellow UFC star Randy Couture, Liddell was instrumental in bringing UFC out of its infamous ‘Dark Ages’. So why does Dana White exclude someone like the former light heavyweight god-king from the Mount Rushmore list? This omission has sparked outrage among analysts and critics. While White may not give ‘The Iceman’ the recognition he deserves, UFC commentator and podcaster Joe Rogan has consistently praised the former champion.

This week, speaking to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his podcast (JRE episode #2255), Rogan recalled how fan-friendly Chuck Liddell was at the height of his career, emphasizing his popularity among U.S. fans and his significant contribution to the UFC’s rise. The podcaster explained, “It’s so wild and crazy that millions of people start tuning in. Sports were born then. You have Chuck Liddell, who was the champion at the time and the most fan-friendly champion you could ever have. Just a (fucking) berserker, a psychopath with a head tattoo and a mohawk, crushing people in his prime. He was the perfect poster guy for the UFC because he was just smashing people and then throwing his arms back like in a cage. It was nuts.”

Liddell’s electrifying presence inside the Octagon captivated fans who were drawn to his aggressive fighting style. Throughout his career, Liddell demonstrated a rare combination of wrestling and kickboxing prowess, earning 16 knockouts along the way. Unlike many fighters who stayed within the UFC, ‘The Iceman’ boldly competed in various organizations, including the Vale Tudo Championship and Pride when MMA was still in its infancy in the States.

Despite facing setbacks, Liddell consistently embraced the challenge, always finding enjoyment in the process of fighting. At this peak, he achieved a 7-win streak, which included 4 successful title defenses. Moreover, this streak is remarkable for 7 consecutive knockouts which is still a UFC record. With such remarkable accomplishments, how is it that Chuck Liddell didn’t make it onto Joe Rogan’s top 3 list of the greatest fighters?

Who are Joe Rogan’s top 3 greatest UFC fighters ever?

Joe Rogan, widely regarded as the “voice of MMA” after decades of commentary with the UFC, has long been hesitant to weigh in on the UFC/MMA GOAT debate. However, in a podcast episode (#2112) with Dan Soder ten months ago, he finally addressed a topic he had previously steered clear of.

When asked to name his MMA/UFC GOAT, the podcaster listed three fighters: Anderson Silva, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Demetrious Johnson, ranking them based on their peak performances during their primes. Notably, Rogan did not include legends such as Chuck Liddell, Georges St-Pierre, Jon Jones, or Conor McGregor on his list. Among the three he chose, Rogan placed the most emphasis on Demetrious Johnson.

Recalling Johnson’s fight against Henry Cejudo, the podcaster shared, “When he was in his prime, ‘Mighty Mouse’ was a m–herf–ker to watch. He would do sh-t that no one could do. There’s not a champion alive that can do that [suplex] the way ‘Mighty Mouse’ can do that. When [Johnson] fought [Henry] Cejudo the first time, it was a masterclass. I maintain that he is the finest expression of martial arts I have ever seen.”

What are your thoughts on Chuck Liddell’s legacy? Do you consider him the most fan-friendly fighter to ever compete in the UFC, as Joe Rogan said, or is there another fighter who’s more fan-friendly or poised to take his place? Share your opinion below.