Morning Report: Chuck Liddell says he’s ‘staying ready’ for MMA comeback, proposes Chael Sonnen or Tito Ortiz fights
Rumors about a possible Chuck Liddell MMA comeback have been percolating for a while but now it seems like “The Iceman” is serious about returning to fighting.
Liddell was recently a cast member on Celebrity Big Brother where he was the first cast member voted off the show. Before he was evicted from the Big Brother house though, Liddell was shown to be continuing a rigorous training regime even while on the reality TV show. Liddell spoke with TMZ Sports recently about his time in the house and why he was training in there, saying that he wanted to stay in shape because of his possible return to MMA.
“It’s still a possibility, for sure,” said Liddell. “So I didn’t want to get too far out of shape. I was in there boxing the whole time. There’s a lot of stuff that they didn’t show but I was just having a good time in there and staying in shape. I’m staying ready.”
Liddell has not fought since 2010, when he suffered a knockout loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 115. It was Liddell’s third knockout loss in a row and prompted UFC President Dana White to coax Liddell into retirement. Liddell went on to work for the UFC as a Vice President of Business Development but was fired shortly after Zuffa sold the company to WME-IMG. Then last year, rumors began circulating that Liddell was interested in a comeback fight and Chael Sonnen quickly threw his name into the ring for the potential bout. Liddell has denied ever being officially offered a fight with Sonnen but now seems to be very interested in making that fight happen.
“I’ve said it before in the news, Chael would be a good warmup fight to get back into it,” said Liddell. “Tito would be great if he’d even consider fighting me. I hear he wouldn’t. He doesn’t want to fight me at all. He’ll fight other people but not me, of course.”
Sonnen is currently competing in Bellator’s 2018 Heavyweight Grand Prix and just defeated former Liddell nemesis Quinton Jackson with a unanimous decision at Bellator 192 last month. Meanwhile, Ortiz retired from MMA in 2017 after submitting Sonnen at Bellator 170, though he did have a brief spat with Liddell over an Instagram post Liddell teased about a possible third fight between the two. But if neither of those men are willing or able to offer Liddell a return fight, that doesn’t mean the Iceman won’t come back. Liddell closed by saying he’s open for other suggestions for a comeback fight.
“It depends on who they offer,” Liddell said. “I’m down for just about anything.”
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VIDEO STEW
Our latest feature is excellent.
Fight Motion.
All of Yoel Romero’s knockouts for your viewing pleasure.
Yoel backstage.
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Co-Main Event. Recapping UFC 221 looking ahead to UFC 222.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Beef.
Let’s make it happen @TElliott125 @danawhite @Mickmaynard2 https://t.co/aUW9Z8fh9O
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 12, 2018
Henry,I am extremely sorry that I beat up your team on "tuf" I am sorry you are so sensitive, and can not take a joke. I am sorry that you are 5 foot 2 inches tall, and have still missed weight several times. There is no benefit fighting a boring wrestler that can't make weight.
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) February 12, 2018
So! Rankings mean dick in this game, I move up by winning fights, if I'm fighting at 125 it's because it's an exciting fight. I'm not killin myself to make 125 against a boring fighter who might miss weight
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) February 12, 2018
It’s sad bro when sum 1 will turn down an instant title shot chance & a payday . This division is its own worst enemy. This is what the @ufc is coming 2. @TElliott125 goto Pyeongchang if you gonna skate from top 5 competition #cutem #wme #coward #liltimmy @Mickmaynard2
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 13, 2018
You could lobby for a title fight right now lol!
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) February 13, 2018
Dude you are just plan out scared. Tryout for the Kansas City Chiefs cheerleading team since you like tie-dye skirts. #youscaredhomie #dontwantnone
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 13, 2018
I have never been offered a fight with you, and have never turned down a fight.
— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) February 13, 2018
❤️ changing your tunes
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) February 13, 2018
Hunto giving props.
A post shared by The Super Samoan (@markhuntfighter) on Feb 12, 2018 at 2:44pm PST
Support.
A post shared by Khabib Nurmagomedov (@khabib_nurmagomedov) on Feb 12, 2018 at 2:41pm PST
A post shared by Alistair Overeem (@alistairovereem) on Feb 11, 2018 at 11:56am PST
Zabit putting people on blast.
I only had 2 fights in @ufc and I had 5 opponents turn me down for April 7th including @FuryJury @Arnoldbfa @panteraufc @TouchyFili the only guy who accept is @RusHammerMMA but his team decline. No disrespect to none I just want to fight. Please Call @seanshelby @arielhelwani
— ZabitMagomedsharipov (@zabit_mma) February 12, 2018
Serious beef.
It took me almost losing and eye ball, getting a knee to the dick and an elbow to the back of the head to get one point taken but who’s counting...fuck you @Neo_MMA
— Slim (@FiLthyJeRmz) February 11, 2018
You almost lost your life. your fight and shit talk are the same just like the little bitch you are, too little too late if you want a rematch all you need to do is ask for it I like easy money
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) February 11, 2018
Lmao...didn’t even touch me. #layandpray #bestgrapplerintheworldmyass
— Slim (@FiLthyJeRmz) February 12, 2018
Rematch for what? I feel bad for all the @BellatorMMA Fans that paid to come watch..What a shitty display of Fighting from you in front of your hometown crowd you coward. I’ll just leave this here... pic.twitter.com/rQUOY1WpvI
— Slim (@FiLthyJeRmz) February 12, 2018
What a bitch, is that the best you got? Thank your coach for bringing my mouthpiece to the fight and give him that belt he gave you, all you did is to hug me 0 sweeps 0 subs 0 getting off the bottom 1 bitch
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) February 12, 2018
And you know I'll fuck you up again I'm already 2-0 against you #littlebitch #easymoney keep crying I got 2 checks i
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) February 12, 2018
If you want we'll do coaches vs coaches too either way I like easy money
— noad lahat (@Neo_MMA) February 12, 2018
The best trash talk Colby has ever delivered.
Woodley got a title shot off being inactive for 500+ days. Got PPV points on Conor/Eddie after putting us all to sleep w/ Choirboy. Just set a record for least strikes thrown with 50 in 5 rds and got paid points off DC/Jones. Now he's jelly @PaigeVanzantUFC's tougher. True story. https://t.co/DwU8tuHdDk
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) February 13, 2018
Gall is sharpening up those hands.
A post shared by Joe Schilling (@joe_schilling) on Feb 12, 2018 at 6:29pm PST
The latest craze.
@BellatorMMA @roynelsonmma #BellyRubChallenge #Bellator194 #BellatorContest pic.twitter.com/jMi5LfUqUT
— KimBoSliCeJr305 ♉ (@kimboslicejr) February 12, 2018
A shining example for this sport to follow.
I visited the same boys and girls club that I used to go to as a kid. Me Harold is still there after all these years. Got to talk to the kids and spend some time. Thank you @ufc for the tees. The kids loved em! You’re an amazing organization, these kids will cherish these 4ever. pic.twitter.com/pHIHSTrxaA
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 12, 2018
Gibson working on new techniques.
I always train my fighters to use spinning shit pic.twitter.com/pIwfLd4rne
— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) February 13, 2018
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Roberto Soldic (13-2) vs. Driscus Du Plessis (11-1); KSW 43, April 11.
Tim Boetsch (21-11) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (9-2); UFC on FOX 29, April 14.
Shana Dobson (3-1) vs. Lauren Mueller (4-0); UFC on FOX 29, April 14.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2008: Carlos Condit submitted Carlo Prater at WEC 32 to retain his welterweight title. Also that evening, Jamie Varner became the lightweight champion by knocking out Rob McCullough and Miguel Torres became the bantamweight champion by submitting Chase Beebe.
FINAL THOUGHTS
That’s all for today folks. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
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