Former UFC champion Chuck Liddell has accused his ex-wife of abducting their 14-year-old daughter in emergency court papers filed in Los Angeles.
The UFC Hall of Famer submitted the emergency custody order to Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, requesting full custody of his daughter, Guinevere, pending a full court hearing.
According to court documents obtained by The New York Post, Liddell claims his ex-wife, Heidi Northcott, took the teenager right before the start of the school year.
Liddell alleges Northcott convinced Guinevere to move to Newport Beach, California, against existing court orders and during his scheduled parenting week, adding that she has "no intent to return her."
The former light heavyweight champion claimed Northcott launched the move after realizing her legal attempts to relocate both Guinevere and their 13-year-old daughter, Charlie, would not be approved in time for fall classes.
In the court filing, Liddell expressed concern that missing the start of high school would cause "irreparable harm" to his daughter, including losing her spot on the varsity volleyball team she earned over the summer.
He also warned that separating the two sisters is causing "instability and chaos" for both children due to their close bond.
Furthermore, Liddell alleged that his ex-wife has routinely violated court orders by failing to use the required co-parenting communication app, using the children as messengers, and skipping scheduled extracurricular activities.
Northcott denies abduction claims
Pushing back against the allegations, Northcott told TMZ that she has never abducted anyone and claimed that the 14-year-old "begged" to be taken away from her father, adding that the children "don't feel safe" speaking to him.
"For the past 5 years after our divorce, Chuck has been obsessed with staying in my life and trying to control me," Northcott told the outlet, noting she is "exhausted" by the ongoing legal drama.
"My door has always been open for my kids to see Chuck and I never abducted anyone," Northcott said.
Divorce history and upcoming hearing
Liddell is a legendary figure in combat sports who helped propel the Ultimate Fighting Championship into global popularity during the 2000s while holding the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship and earning induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Newport Beach, where Northcott reportedly relocated with Guinevere, is a coastal city in neighbouring Orange County, California, located south of Los Angeles where the custody proceedings are taking place.
The former couple finalized their divorce in April 2025 following a four-year legal process and 14 years of marriage. A court hearing on the custody matter is scheduled for August 24.
