UFC 88: BREAKTHROUGH

UFC 88: BREAKTHROUGH
LIDDELL VS. EVANS
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Establishments
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT
CHUCK "THE ICEMAN" LIDDELL vs.
"SUGAR" RASHAD EVANS

ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP® HEADS TO ATLANTA
FOR UFC 88: BREAKTHROUGH

Home to some of the greatest fighters in mixed martial arts, the UFC® light heavyweight division is without question the most competitive in the sport. On Saturday, September 6th, two of the weight class’ best - legendary former champion Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and unbeaten rising star "Sugar" Rashad Evans – will finally meet in the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization's historic first trip to Atlanta for UFC 88: BREAKTHROUGH, live at Philips Arena.

"Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans is a battle between the former champion looking to get a shot at reclaiming his crown and the undefeated contender looking to earn his first title shot," said Dana White, UFC President. "Chuck is a great wrestler and Rashad has shown improved striking skills so there is no way of telling what will happen when two fighters of this caliber collide. This is going to be another incredible fight, and I am so excited to bring UFC 88 Atlanta."

Originally scheduled to face off against each other on June’s UFC 85 card in London, a torn hamstring sidelined Liddell and forced him to withdraw from his bout with Evans.  But if anything, the additional wait has steeled the resolve of both men to not only win this fight, but to end it in spectacular fashion for the loyal UFC fans of Georgia.

One of the biggest stars in American sports, Chuck Liddell (21-5) is a fighter who needs no introduction to fight fans. Fresh off a thrilling three round win over Wanderlei Silva last December in a fight which easily lived up to over four years of expectations, the 38-year-old – owner of knockout wins over a Who’s Who of 205-pound stalwarts, including Randy Couture (twice), Tito Ortiz (twice), Renato Sobral (twice), Jeremy Horn, and Kevin Randleman - continues on his quest to regain his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship from Quinton "Rampage" Jackson; but to get there, he has to get by Evans, only the third undefeated fighter Liddell has ever faced.

"I'm excited to be back in training, and I'm excited to have this Rashad fight back on - I’m going to put pressure on him and put him down, because, unfortunately everyone has to have their first loss," said Liddell.  "It's been a white since I fought on the East coast, so I'm looking forward to going out there and giving this knockout to Atlanta."

Evans (16-0-1) burst on the UFC scene in style in 2005 when he won the heavyweight division of season two of The Ultimate Fighter®, winning four fights en route to the title.  Dropping back to his natural weight class at 205 pounds, he has kept the momentum going with five wins and just one controversial draw against former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz in July of 2007.  Among his victims are standouts Stephan Bonnar and Jason Lambert, and in his most recent bout at UFC 78 last November, he pounded out a three round decision win over previously unbeaten British star Michael "The Count" Bisping.  Now Evans has his sights on taking down a UFC icon on September 6th.

"I'm honored to fight Chuck, it's good to fight someone who has been where you want to be. This is going to be a tough fight though, I know someone is gonna be finished, and I think it'll be Chuck," said Evans.  "I'm excited to go to Atlanta, I've heard great things about the city, I've never been there before, but I know there's no better way to experience a place than to have thousands of people all there to see you fight."

The remaining bouts for UFC 88 will be announced in the near future. All bouts live and subject to change.