Liddell loss will result in his retirement – White
If Chuck Liddell loses to Rich Franklin on Saturday, Dana White expects Liddell to retire, because this time The Iceman could not have prepared any better for the fight.
Knowing the mixed martial arts world is waiting for his 40-year-old body to fail him one last time, Liddell headlines the UFC 115 event. 14 months ago against Mauricio Shogun Rua, the former UFC light-heavyweight champion was extremely sluggish and out of shape. After Shogun went on to beat Lyoto Machida for the title, the Liddell’s defeat looks rather less embarrassing.
White campaigned for Liddell’s retirement and announced it on live TV, but a talk with the man himself has softened that stance. White is convinced by Liddell that defeat was merely down to preparation, a mistake he insists would not be made against Franklin.
Liddell is seriously ripped for one of the first times in his career; the trademark belly seemingly outdated, showing up in Vancouver ahead of the weekend. This is the best shape Liddell can be in, White admits, and hence retirement will be the only option if he is defeated.
“I think he will say the same thing, but let me tell you what the difference is – the difference before, when I wanted him retired, were that he wasn’t doing the right thing. He was out partying every night and doing the wrong thing – not the right thing. He was not living the life of a professional athlete. He and I sat down and talked and I will tell you what, he has kept his word. He has been in phenomenal shape since the beginning of The Ultimate Fighter and it will be interesting to see how he does. Rick Franklin is tough, he is no joke. He had that war with Dan Henderson that many people believe he won, he had the war with Wanderlei Silva – he has fought all the best in the world “, said White, to a popular sports magazine.