Would you dance with this man?
I imagine Anna Trebunskay asked herself the same question when Dancing with the Stars paired her with Iceman, Chuck Liddell.
The former Ultimate Fighting Champion has a reputation of knocking his tango partners out of the ring and into hospital beds with his vicious right hook:
What makes an MMA fighter take off the gloves and put on his dancing shoes?
I thought it would be a good experience and a good chance for people to see what fighters are like outside the ring.
Ah, Iceman, I know how you feel.
I made the same transition in 2004 when I gave up the martial arts for dance. Much like Chuck, I was ridiculed and teased by my martial peers. Even to this day, their phone calls still begin with: “You still dancing, Fred Astaire?”
Adapting to movements that require partner communication instead of partner annihilation takes work! Any good martial artist, however, can control his instincts and convert his attack and react principles to lead and follow with a little practice.
I have incredible respect for you, Chuck. It’s nice to see someone who’s not afraid of putting his reputation on the line to have a little fun and explore his other interests.
I don’t follow Dancing with the Stars, but I’ll make an exception for you, Chuck, since you merged my two favorite past times. I’m not a fan of competition or ballroom Tango so I won’t comment on your dance routine. That’s not the important thing here.
I’d rather remember you as the Iceman that knocks down everything in his path.
Let’s give Chuck a hand for his bold move, every body.
Take it away, Iceman:
Keep dancing,
Panayiotis Pete Karabetis
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{ 9 tango-induced comments… read them, love them, and add your 2 cents! }
Hoo Ha! Shout out to the Iceman!
Totally different feeling from Argentine. I don’t think it would be as addictive.
Hi there!
You’re in luck, ’cause this season actually does have a martial artist… Mark Dacascos. Saw him dancing Mon night with Lacy Schwimmer…exciting example of combining 2 different disciplines-
“Famously known as “The Chairman” and host of Food Network’s Iron Chef America, Dacascos is also a trained martial artist as well as actor. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Mark’s passion for martial arts began at an early age under the tutelage of his parents who are both former national champions and teachers”
Mark Dacascos is the reason I fell in love with Capoeira, as a matter of fact! I saw his movie Only the Strong about 12 years ago and was amazed and inspired by the way he moved.
You should check it out sometime. It’s not a great movie, but the acrobatics are fun to watch.
And to think, I became a fan of Capoeira after reading an article years ago in Dance Magazine! Funny how things are interrelated
I noticed Mark Dacascos on DWTS because I thought he was the best dancer/mover of the night. Hmm, coincidence???
Oh Pete, I beg to differ. While it’s much better than seeing him beat the crap out of some other guy, I’m afraid the tango is awful!
That is exactly the kind of dance that gives the gorgeous, beautiful, and passionate Argentine tango of ours a bad name. Sigh.
I couldn’t agree with you more about his dancing.
It was definitely below par.
My enthusiasm for Chuck is geared toward his ability to break out of the box and try something new after all those years of strict fight training, not because his dancing was good!
I spent 10 years of my life training the way he did as a fighter and when I made the switch to dancing, it was very hard for me to train my body to respond rather than react to movement. Know what I mean?
Curious… would you dance with him?
Pete,
! So I guess I will have to go with the flow……and I would have never picked you for a fighter, you are way too artistic, creative and musical (at least from the profile photo). But I do know about the extreme switch. I have done many in my life!
I would be terrified of dancing with him – or *not* dancing with him if he were to ask me
Too artistic? Me!?
Thank you, perhaps there’s some truth to that. Keep in mind, fighting is incredibly artistic and constantly seeks fresh, creative angles.
Granted, it’s more about survival than expression (depending on the person), but it lends itself well to science and artistic influences.
I’ll see if I can dig up some of my old martial arts footage and post it for a good chuckle. Ah, the old days…