UFC Speakables: Chuck Liddell speaks on Tito

Chuck Liddell speaks to MMAWeekly about taking the coaching job for this TUF season and Tito backing out.

“I was completely against [the fight with Tito Ortiz]. I told Dana (White) I don’t mind doing it if you think it’s going to be good for us or a good way for me to come back after some time off, but it made no sense for me to fight him. And I never thought he planned on fighting me anyway. I didn‘t think he would end up fighting me. I thought it would be what it ended up being…

The first week he started saying, ‘I’m not going to fight Chuck unless I’m 100 percent.’ I actually made a phone call to Dana and said it sounds like he’s already back peddling about fighting me. Is he going to fight me? He said, ’Oh we’ve got a signed contract. Don’t worry about it.’ Then a week later I hear from some of his guys on his team that he’s going to have surgery. Before he fights me he’s got to have neck surgery of something. I was like you’re kidding me. He’s already talking that he’s too hurt to fight me. I called Dana again and he assured me, no, it’s set. The fight is going to happen. Don’t worry about it.”

I think because of the way it went down and what he did, I think if he wants to come back he should have to fight me. If he comes back Dana should make him fight me his first fight back. I’ve put in my time on the show. I had to deal with him for that long. I had to put up with him, so now I should actually get the reward and get to actually punch him in the face.”

Quick Hit: Sounds like Tito was always going to have the surgery if you believe Chuck, which I do. Tito probably just wanted his name out there and wanted to push some merchandise. Now Franklin has to come in and clean up the mess. Hopefully Tito heals up and, no matter if Liddell loses to Franklin, will still have to fight Chuck.