Ortiz said, “I just got the release and for two weeks now I’ve been lifting weights, my weight is back up to 220 pounds. I went from 200 to 220 in a little bit over two weeks. I’m eating a bunch, finally, and my neck’s healing. I get a little tingling sensation down my arms and the back of my neck but I guess that’s normal because all the nerves are reconnecting. I feel really good, though. The soreness I have now is from lifting weights.”

He added, “I haven’t had this kind of soreness in a while. I get a little tingling sensation down my arms and the back of my neck but I guess that’s normal because all the nerves are reconnecting. I feel really good, though. The soreness I have now is from lifting weights. I haven’t had this kind of soreness in a while. July will really be the test for me because I’ll be wrestling and stuff and starting to get into it. On July 1, I’ll start doing jiu-jitsu and start drilling. Nothing live – just drilling to get my body back into shape.”

Liddell believes that, if the Huntington Beach Bad Boy takes on The Iceman, only then he should be allowed back in the Octagon. Ortiz has been beaten twice by Liddell in the past. He lost to Rich Franklin, Ortiz’s replacement at UFC 115.

Ortiz is looking way beyond a swansong clash with Liddell. Ortiz is a former UFC light-heavyweight champion and he insists he has five more fights left in him.

He said, “I have five fights left with the UFC. I started my career with the UFC and I’m going to end my career with the UFC. After these next five fights are over, maybe I’ll take a step back and see what I’m going to do after I defend my world title after I win it.”

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Liddell is seriously ripped for one of the first times in his career; the trademark belly seemingly outdated, showing up in Vancouver ahead of the weekend.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.

On the main card of UFC 115, in a pivotal welterweight bout, Thiago takes on Kampmann. Kampmann, at UFC 108, is coming off a submission win over Jacob Volkmann and he is ranked No.10. Finishing Mike Swick with a brabo choke Feb. 6 at UFC 109, the No. 5-ranked Thiago also scored a sub in his most recent bout.

“Kampmann is a very tough guy, with several victories by knockout and submission, He is very dangerous. I will have to be fine-tuned in combat, but I am prepared to make a good fight. It will be a great challenge”, said Thiago.

Thiago will be keeping an eye on the top of the welterweight division, even though he is focused on Kampmann. Against Josh Koscheck sometime after the two finishes coaching on the upcoming season of “The Ultimate Fighter”, champion Georges St. Pierre will defend his title.

Thiago believes Koscheck will be a tougher fight for GSP the second time around and respects him too. Thiago stopped the AKA-trained fighter in his UFC debut and this is something St. Pierre failed to do.

“Koscheck is getting into a very good rhythm, He is excellent both standing and on the floor. In addition, he is a fighter as strategic as GSP — we saw that in his last fight. He was able to strike with Paul Daley, but he preferred the smarter strategy in the fight and was very intelligent. It will be a tough fight for GSP”, said Thiago.

Thiago was also full of praise for GSP himself. The Brazilian does think St. Pierre will be tough to beat.

“He is a spectacular fighter. He is very good, He is an excellent strategist, very good at takedowns and dominates the whole game, but sometime someone will defeat him”, said Thiago said.

Against Rich Franklin at UFC 115, Chuck Liddell’s return to MMA competition, have been a foregone conclusion. Liddell had made no secret of his desire to continue fighting and is one of the UFC’s biggest drawing cards.

Franklin feels his blend of speed and stamina will enable him to keep the Iceman at bay although, Franklin is conceding a slight size advantage to Liddell.

“It is a good time for me, I am in the right spot physically and I am ahead of schedule and am feeling good about the game plan we have “, said Franklin.

Liddell is expected to come out swinging from the hip by Franklin. Franklin said, I would imagine he will come into the fight more explosive than he ever has been,” It would not surprise me if Chuck tries to take me down. Chuck has a good wrestling background. He has not used it a whole lot in his fights and I think that is one aspect of his game that is overlooked. I can see him trying to mix things up, throwing some punches and going for a takedown and make me bite on defending the takedown.

With Chuck I don’t think it is the speed that makes him as dangerous as his timing. He sucks you in, lets you get a little over extended and he picks the proper time to drop that right hand on you. We have to make sure I am razor sharp in what I am doing.

“As the time progresses I tend to accelerate as a fighter and Chuck tends to slow down and things are going to start playing in my favor”.