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Los Angeles, California "CHUUUUCCKKK!!!" As dozens of surprised fans echo his name, it's an ovation that pales in comparison to the roar that greets him when he makes his way to the octagon in front of thousands of thundering fans. Nonetheless, when "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell enters a room, people take notice. On this day, like many in the life of the undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) light heavyweight champion, he's got PR and then more PR on the agenda. Rubber-necking gamblers at the Mandalay Bay sports book hold their bets to get a glimpse of the modern-day gladiator, fans clamor to him, snapping pictures with cell phones as he makes his way into a Sirius Radio booth for a mid-day interview. "Tonight we dine in hell" is emblazoned across the back of his "300" T-shirt, as he's weeks away from a whirlwind media tour to promote the action flick that will soar to No. 1 at the box offices. A faded pair of jeans, his trademark Mohawk, tattoos stenciled on the side of his head, his finger in a brace, nursing a knee injury and a cold, he is every bit as much the new-age icon called the "Iceman" as he is a down-to-earth guy named Chuck Liddell.  Unchanged by fame, "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell reached stardom's pinnacle as the UFC light heavyweight champion with knockout after knockout. Liddell's is a story of timing, as he's dealt with what seemed like devastating losses that only turned into the opportunity for landmark wins. Liddell's is a story of stardom, as his and the UFC's prominence have fed off each other en route to stratospheric heights for both. Liddell's is a story of a guy who simply likes to fight and has become a superstar because of it. And as the age of the Iceman continues its tour de force, Liddell is a refreshing story in today's skewed world of sports, as he remains fiercely loyal to his friends, ever-approachable by his fans and never-changing in the face of his celebrity. "He's no different now that he's making millions of dollars than he was when he was sleeping on my couch," says John Hackleman, Liddell‘s longtime friend and trainer. While Liddell has remained the same, holding strong to his roots in Southern California's sunny Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, his world has changed. He is the face of a sport that is as controversial as it is captivating, bloody as it is burgeoning. Liddell possesses that all-important it-factor Hollywood craves, the press eats up and fans go crazy for. Alas, he's an action-adventure star without a big-screen blockbuster, a rock star without a sold-out tour. Instead, "He's the biggest superstar in mixed-martial arts in the world," UFC president Dana White says. With devastation in his left hand and destruction in his right, "The Iceman" has knocked his last seven opponents cold. A standout wrestler in his college days at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Liddell's wrestling background has produced one of the best takedown defenses in the game. It enables him to keep his fights standing - at least until he floors his opponent. His highlight-reel knockouts and his stand-up style have made him a crowd favorite the likes of which has never been seen in the UFC. "A lot of people like my style of fighting, it's entertaining," says Liddell, whose last nine victories have come via knockout. "I like to keep the fight standing, I like to bang." It's as simple as that really. Liddell enjoys fighting and, in particular, punching opponents in the face. His style, his championship, his charisma and the expectation of the knockout shot combine to make his fights electric events rather than just another pay-per-view bout. "You know he's willing to bang with anyone," Hackleman says. "It's like a home run hitter [in baseball], you know when he connects, someone's going to sleep. There's that anticipation."
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