The Iceman is going dancing.
UFC Hall of Famer Chuck (The Iceman) Liddell will be lacing up his dancing shoes rather than fight gloves when he makes his debut on ABC's "Dancing With The Stars" on Sept. 21.
"I want to win," the mixed martial arts star told www.ufc.com. "I don't like losing in anything, so I'll work as hard as they'll let me."
Liddell, 39, has not fought since being knocked out in April by Mauricio (Shogun) Rua at UFC 97 in Montreal. That loss, his fourth in five fights, and Liddell's post-fight comments seemed to suggest retirement. Recently, however, he has hinted he wants to keeps fighting, something that UFC president Dana White wants no part of.
Liddell (21-7) said he had been asked to join the TV show's cast before but was too busy fighting.
"I'm going to go out, be myself, and show what kind of people we do have in this sport," he said. "I'm sure the reaction will be mixed (among fight fans).
"My friends are going to be excited and I'll never hear the end of it because they'll make fun of me, but it should be fun and I think everyone will like it."
Liddell knows a little about the show. Former girlfriend Willa Ford appeared on Season 3.
"He may be a mean bruisin' machine, but will this Ultimate Fighter's skills help him to make high kicks on the dance floor?" the TV show asks on its website.
The Iceman, who joins 15 other celebrities on the series, has no formal dance training.
"I like to dance, but I don't know how to dance," said the fighter, who has little over a month to learn.
Other contestants include former Republican majority leader Tom DeLay; entertainer Donny Osmond; singers Mya, Macy Gray and Aaron Carter; actors Melissa Joan Hart, Debi Mazar and Ashley Hamilton (son of George); models Joanna Krupa and Kathy Ireland; reality stars Kelly Osbourne and Mark Dacascos ("the Chairman" on Food Network's "Iron Chef America"); professional snowboarder Louie Vito; Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin; and former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin.
"How many of you all are gonna vote?" Liddell asked via Twitter.
NOTES: Jay (The Thoroughbred) Hieron has joined Fedor Emelianenko and Randy (The Natural) Couture on the roster of fighters for EA Sports MMA game, currently in development. Most of the sport's top talent is already featured on THQ's "UFC Undisputed 2009" game, which came out earlier this year.
