MMA Worldwide

Chuck Liddell to join "Dancing with the Stars"

Posted by Deshalen Barber on the 17 August 2009 | View Comments

Fan favorite and knockout expert Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell will take his act from the Octagon to center stage on the new season of "Dancing with the Stars" which premieres Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

The show features a cast of celebrities and athletes who are partnered with professional dancers in an attempt to survive weekly elimination process while ousting opposing pairs. When asked why he signed on, Liddell simply replied, "I like to dance”.

The challenge for Liddell will not be easy as the show brings in twelve, the largest group of would-be dancers ever in the show’s history, jockeying to be the last group dancing. Undaunted by the difficult task, Liddell’s main focus has always been “I want to win”. Liddell also stated in no uncertainty, “I don’t like losing in anything, so I’ll work as hard as they’ll let me.” With his lack of previous professional dance experience, he will have to do just that.

In fact, Liddell’s only formal training has come from his prefight two-step as he stares down his opponents with a grin. Still, his lack of proper training should not affect him as the show has informed him, “If you don’t have any background in dancing, just learn it when you get here. Don’t confuse yourself by starting with somebody and then having to come over and re-learn it.”

Once the pioneer for now hardcore MMA fans, Liddell plans to once again reach out and expand the horizon of MMA. Only now he intends to capture the attention households everywhere by showing a more nimble side of MMA.

Also on board with the former UFC light heavyweight are singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actresses Ashley Hamilton, Melissa Joan Hart and Debi Mazar; models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland; reality stars Mark Dacascos and Kelly Osbourne; entertainer Donny Osmond; NFL Hall of Fame inductee Micheal Irvin and former Republican Majority Leader Tom DeLay.