"He can not do it again. It will not happen again. This is a guy I care about and respect and consider a friend.... Anybody who's been in the sport long enough knows you used to be able to hit him in the face with a crowbar and you couldn't even wobble him. And that's not the case anymore. It's not worth it to me..... I guess if he asks me to release him, I'd release him. That's not what I want. But he'll never fight in the UFC again."
-- UFC President Dana White once again retires his long-time friend, former box office draw and light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell, following his third straight (technical) knockout loss. White argues (via MMAFighting.com) that Father Time has likely finally caught up to 40-year-old Hall of Famer, saying that no matter what he does in the gym, or no longer does outside of it, his legendary iron chin simply can't hold up. Liddell, meanwhile, has refused to call it quits in recent post-UFC 115 interviews. He feels that he can still compete at the highest level despite losing five of his last six bouts. Perhaps he feels he can convince White to give him one more shot before hanging up the gloves, but he'll likely meet way more resistance than after his loss to Shogun Rua. Will White stick to his guns this time around or is it déjà vu all over again? Anyone interested in seeing the "Iceman" throw leather under a different banner, perhaps one closer to home in San Jose?
This makes me respect Dana White even more. He could make several more million off of Liddell. Instead, he won't pimp out his friend.
Liddell has people who are willing to pimp him out. Once Liddell stops fighting, the golden goose stop laying those golden eggs - and there are so many people willing to break Liddell if it'll give them one more omelette. There is a time and season for everything.
Liddell was the greatest. He had his reign. All great things end, and retiring now does nothing to his legacy, and it preserves his long-term health.
LiveFromThe7x7 - This makes me respect Dana White even more. He could make several more million off of Liddell. Instead, he won't pimp out his friend.
Liddell has people who are willing to pimp him out. Once Liddell stops fighting, the golden goose stop laying those golden eggs - and there are so many people willing to break Liddell if it'll give them one more omelette. There is a time and season for everything.
Liddell was the greatest. He had his reign. All great things end, and retiring now does nothing to his legacy, and it preserves his long-term health.
There's no way Dana/Lorenzo would let Chuck go to a promotion like Strikeforce! Dana's probably betting on Chuck staying loyal to the UFC and not leaving for another org, hence corner him into retirement.
The only people that want to see Chuck continue to fight are the ones that do not care how he ends up.
Chuck is a fighter and will always want to fight. It is not easy to change who you are. His friends and family should do their best to persuade him to stop and enjoy the life he has built for himself.
I want to see him go out on a win, but you can't insure that. Chuck vs. Tito is the best option. He looked fine until Rich fucked him up. Unless he becomes a grappler that is the likely ending for most mid-range fights.
Dana is right and we all see it. But its so hard for athletes to let go of who they are for over half their lives. I wish all his friends and family would help him coup with the simple fact that its over. Thank you Chuck for the great fights.
by MMAmania.com 