TUF 11: Chuck Liddell returns to UFC to coach Ultimate Fighter opposite Tito Ortiz
by Nate Lawson on Dec 5, 2009 11:43 PM EST
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Following a split-decision victory for Forrest Griffin over Tito Ortiz at UFC 106, rumors swirled about the two possibly coaching against one another for the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter". Tonight on Spike TV, Dana White made the announcement that Ortiz would be a coach, but Griffin would not.
The man set to coach opposite Ortiz is "The Iceman" Chuck Liddell. Liddell has not had a professional mixed martial arts fight since UFC 97, where he suffered a knockout defeat at the hands of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.
The season will feature middleweights and light heavyweights, which may be a nice change of pace, especially if the participants can feature better cardio than the heavyweights of season 10.
Questions were raised as to whether or not Liddell would retire after his devastating loss to "Shogun", but now it seems Tito Ortiz and "The Iceman" will meet for a third time inside the octagon. Liddell dominated Ortiz in their first two fights, at UFC 47 and UFC 66, but that was some time ago.
The third meeting will be a chance for Ortiz to redeem himself, or for Liddell to reestablish himself as a force in the light heavyweight division. It will also be another opportunity for Tito's mouth to hype a fight, as "the Huntington Beach Bad Boy" will once again look to get into the head of "The Iceman"
Both Liddell and Ortiz were longtime champions, and each are considered two of the most dominant champions in the history of the organization. Their third bout will hold serious repercussions or rewards, and this next season of "The Ultimate Fighter" should feature all the drama we can expect from two of the most dynamic light heavyweights in the history of the UFC.
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I expect a lot of people on here to be less than enthusiastic about Tito and Chuck III beacuse it doesnt have title implications, both may be past their prime, etc. Regardless, I am excited about it. I love Chuck and hate Tito and cant wait to see Tito get knocked out for a THIRD time!
by PHISH NATION on Dec 6, 2009 12:25 AM EST up reply actions
I loved it that dana kept talking about ring rust being the reason for
Tito’s shittiness yet he’s gonna sidleline him again for a long time before his next fight. At this point i say feed the winner to my boy Jon Jones. He’s already a beast get him over with big names. He took hamill to the woodshed. It took fn franklin 3rds to put him away.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Dec 6, 2009 1:36 AM EST up reply actions
BONES JONES IS THE MAN
I really cant wait to see Bones fight again hopefully sooner rather than later. And am all for giving him a big name i say give him Vera i would love to see that fight. Both coming off of loses they really won imo would make for a really exciting match and a toss up at best as of who would win.
by Jamie The Peach Hunter on Dec 6, 2009 8:01 AM EST up reply actions
NICE!!
i like this i have high hopes for this season two great coaches
i wouldve liked to see rich and chuck or tito also
Thank god it's two irrelevant fighters
Now they can set up Forrest-Lil Nog.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Dec 5, 2009 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
Tito?
I don’t think Chuck should be in any more contender matches, but his personality doesn’t grate on me. But Tito? I’m going to have a really hard time watching TuF with his awkward trashtalk/ whiny excuses. I don’t mean to fighter bash… but he doesn’t really carry himself like a fighter. I think that’s the difference between him and Chuck.
Has anyone here NOT wanted to hit the mute button when Tito talks?
Im sold
I love how Dana guarentees that 1 of these “over the hill hall of famers” will have to look good. Doesn’t Tito have a 4 fight deal, dana new this was his best chance to mix a win in there somewhere.He was almost laughing at the thought of Chuck coming back. At least they’ll bring some ratings. It should do well especially with 2 weight classes. I know I’ll watch.
by DrewMoney$$$ on Dec 6, 2009 2:25 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Not me...
The following fighters need to retire: LIDDELL, ORTIZ, hughes, rampage (he’s not REALLY retired), wanderlei, trigg, coleman, couture, cro cop, sokuju. They all SUCK now and WHO CARES what they did/accomplished in the past. The PAST was yesterday, and the future of UFC should NOT include them.
The future of the UFC doesn't include any of those guys
The present includes them. Are only the top 5 guys suppose to fight? There are under card and pre-main events that need filling. And don’t say young up and comers can fill that role, the young unknown fighters don’t fill arenas.
Glad to be free from Intro's tyranny.
by jay. on Dec 6, 2009 4:45 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Good choices
The main problem with the Ultimate Fighter has been holding up divisions when champions or top contenders are on the show, so it makes sense to put 2 big names but irrelevant fighters as coaches, both did a great job in their respective series and the TUF prospects will learn a lot from both as this time they’re guaranteed to have a coach that cares. The Chuck-Tito rivalry is classic and should make for some good TV as we get to see their banter plus it gives the winner of the resulting fight a final shot at stardom and will convince the loser to retire before they devalue their careers any further. This fight will also be an easy sell and should make for a good co-main event. Win-win all around for the UFC, the fighters and the fans.
I agree with you but dont be suprised to see Tito and Chuck being the main event the ufc can sell that fight even if the two of them are past it.
by Jamie The Peach Hunter on Dec 6, 2009 8:06 AM EST up reply actions
Wow
another reason not to watch the next season of TUF, which I’m sure will be the “best season ever.”
@fjbar75 on twitter...formerly El Mexicutioner
I prefer this
Forrest would be a terrible coach. now we have 2 legit veterans as coaches. This season will be huge. The problem in the past was terrible coaching. Tito was a solid coach on season 3. I am pumped for this.
to me i thought
it be great if they could have done shogun vs machdia and make them as coaches but they both can`t speak english .or i would have love nate marquardt and dan henderspm as coaches that would have been amazing
screw that
Ya and have machida shogun 2 delayed for a year, your not to bright are you?
you do know the new season would happen in april
the fight is happening in may mma guru
Good
One last knockout victory for chuck, tito started talkin shit again even though chuck destroyed him twice it will be nice to see tito laying on the mat again. One last victory for the best lhw fighter to date.
I like the idea of Chuck coaching but dang I don’t think I can take 12 shows with Tito’s mouth. I didn’t watch all of season 3 because I hate tito that much.
Too bad we will never see Chuck vs Forrest. That would have been a blockbuster fight if Chuck could have gotten past ‘shad. Things change so fast in this sport and fighters don’t stay prime very long. That’s why I get so upset with the UFC having the top guys fight only twice a year.
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