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July 28, 2010
Chuck Liddell still thinking things over but would be more than happy to shut Ortiz up again
MMABay spoke EXCLUSIVELY to former UFC light heavyweight champion, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell this past weekend about his plans following the knockout loss to Rich Franklin last month in Vancouver, Canada, as well as tackling the issue of his long-time nemesis, Tito Ortiz.
Speaking via the telephone to MMABay.co.uk, Liddell said about his fight with Franklin:
“Well obviously I was disappointed with the outcome. I thought I was doing real well right up until the point I got caught. A few seconds more and I don’t think he would have answered the bell for the second round. I didn’t do anything I normally wouldn’t do, I thought I had him hurt and I went after him. That’s the way I am, that’s the way I fight and I don’t think that’s ever going to change. Whether it should or not, I don’t think it will ever change.”
“I’ve been taking some time to hang out and when I get back from this trip I’ll talk to my camp, my guys and talk to Dana, we’ll see. I’ve told Dana the same thing, I’m not ready to talk about it much, I wanna go have some time, and he’s kinda ‘OK, let me know what your decision is when you get back and we’ll talk’.”
When asked about the comments from Dana White where he clearly indicated he’d release Liddell from his UFC contract if he ever wanted to fight again, Chuck said:
“Well that’s what he’s saying, if that’s what he wants to do. We’ll talk (about it) when we talk. If I decide to fight again and he doesn’t want me to fight then that’s what he’ll do. I haven’t really paid attention to the comments in the press too much. When I talk to Dana I’ll talk directly to Dana because it’s personal.”
We then asked “The Iceman” for his thoughts on his long standing rival, Tito Ortiz and whether that was still a fight that interests him at this stage of his career.“You know, I don’t like the guy, I’ve knocked him out twice. I really don’t think I have anything left to do with the guy. I was gonna fight him for the show but I’ve really got nothing left for that guy. He hasn’t showed anything different that what he’s done before. I don’t know what I have left to prove with him.”
“I don’t think you’ll ever shut him up (laughs), he’ll just keep going, but I’ll be more than happy if Dana wants to shut him up again, only for a little bit of course.”
Finally, on the upcoming heavyweight tilt between Randy Couture and James Toney at UFC 118 in August, Liddell commented:
“I don’t know how intrigued I am with it. I see Randy taking him down right away and beating him up down on the ground. I don’t think it’ll be much of a problem for him, or at least it shouldn’t be. I’m not really that interested in that fight. That’s the only chance James has (to catch Randy with a punch coming in), to catch him with a lucky punch coming in, but I doubt it. I don’t see it happening.”
Liddell has lost five of his last six bouts inside the octagon, with his sole win coming over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79 in December 2007. Is this really the end of the line for “The Iceman” or will he rise from the ashes to take on Ortiz one last time? Check back tomorrow for the full audio of the interview.
By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)
Source: MMA Bay
