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Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:20 pm EDT

White interview: Liddell's future discussed at meeting this week

By Steve Cofield

The Chuck Liddell saga continues. UFC president Dana White "retired him" immediately after his loss to Mauricio Rua at UFC 97.

White: I said Chuck's done.

Cagewriter: Did he say that?

White: No, and it's not that he's not going to fight anymore for the UFC, he's not going to fight anymore period.

Cagewriter: He's just lost to three of the top five guys in the world. He clearly can make money fighting other people. It's kind of tough to tell a guy who can make $500,000, if it's not with you then a company in Japan or someone here who is trying to compete with you, you know what, you can't do it.

White: Yup. That's the way it is. He can't fight again. He's gonna be 40 years old. He's made a lot of money. He's been the champion. He's proved everything he needs to prove to everybody. There's no need for him to fight anymore. He's a big name we could sell out arenas, sell pay-per-views with him but I don't want to see it.

White has slowly backed off the Liddell retirement demand over the last 10 weeks. Appearing on The Cofield and Cokin Show on ESPNRadio1100, White said he's sitting down with Liddell this week. When asked if Liddell was returning to fight Rich Franklin in September at UFC 103, White chuckled and refused to answer.

In other fighter contract/acquisition news, White hinted that the door is still open for Cro Cop (1:50 mark). There was also an odd exchange where White said he had no interest in Vitor Belfort (2:11 mark). Why odd? Because White went on Spike during The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale and spoke about Belfort. In this conversation, he denied having ever expressed interest in the former UFC fighter, who is currently under contract with Affliction. Belfort is scheduled to fight on August 1.

White also confirmed that the UFC is working on Roger Huerta versus Gray Maynard at Ultimate Fight Night 19 in Oklahoma City on Sept. 16 (2:52 mark).

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53 Comments

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  1. Patrón
    1. Posted by Patrón Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:39 pm EDT

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    Dana White, what an ass
  2. Patrón
    2. Posted by Patrón Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:39 pm EDT

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    He acts like an ass I mean... that came out wrong
  3. BOSS
    3. Posted by BOSS Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:42 pm EDT

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    i think white would have to be an idiot not to go after vitor belfort.
  4. Dan S
    4. Posted by Dan S Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:45 pm EDT

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    Dana realized that what he said about Vitor could get him in trouble so of course he's going to back off.But I wouldnt be surprised to see Vitor in the UFC after his last fight with Affliction.
  5. Sandman
    5. Posted by Sandman Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    Belfort in the UFC would be the best addition in years!
  6. JoePiervincenti
    6. Posted by JoePiervincenti Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    I think that's definitely because Dana jumped ahead of himself. It doesn't mean he's an ass. But usually, being under contract to one organization means you can't discuss a new contract with a competing organization. Personally, I think and hope Michael Bisping and Demian Maia get title shots before Vitor. I'm sure Bisping will, but they might be hesitant to put Maia in there after the Thales Leites debacle. Hopefully, they'll give Maia a shot if he manages to beat Nate.
  7. Dan S
    7. Posted by Dan S Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:21 pm EDT

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    I love the fact that everybody overlooks the fact that Bisping has to beat Hendo to get that shot at the belt.In my opinion I dont think he can get by Hendo and I definetly dont see Maia getting by Nate.
  8. Patrón
    8. Posted by Patrón Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:29 pm EDT

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    When Chuck does decide to retire he should be able to hold a press conference and get all the attention, not have Dana steal his thunder and do that for him. Dana needs to know when to stay out of it, he's the P Diddy of MMA
  9. Daniel W
    9. Posted by Daniel W Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:03 pm EDT

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    I honestly I would like to see Chuck fight Franklin,I feel thats a fight he can win. Chuck hits harder i think that will be the difference in the fight. Franklin is in kind of in the same situation as Chuck nobody feels he can compete with todays fighters. I also would like to see a Chuck vs Forrest,now that would be a killer fight for the public. Believe it or not theres still guys out there that are kind of green still, that Chuck could easily beat(MattHamil,TimBoetsch,RyanBader etc.... He has lost to the best,and there no shame in that at all.
  10. Marcus L
    10. Posted by Marcus L Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    Daniel W you need to slow right down. Chuck might be able to knock out some top fighters IF he was still fast enough to even hit them. You think Chuck Liddell could beat Forrest Griffin? Really? The only fighters you think he could easily beat are young fighters with only a handfull of professional fights put together. Chuck is a legend in MMA and he is incredibly talented... but everyone knows his time at the top is over.
  11. anonymous
    11. Posted by anonymous Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:09 pm EDT

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    Maybe I missed something in the past week or so........
    BTU, what happened with Kimbo and TUF 10???? Dana and Cofield hinted at some kind of "LEAK" about Kimbo and TUF 10???? Anyone hear what it was???? I am guessing, and total speculation that Kimbo got KO'd real quick in the firsat fight and SOMEONE opened their mouth./
    The curiosity is killing me.
  12. Kill another VC
    12. Posted by Kill another VC Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:11 pm EDT

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    go chucky .. u can do it
  13. Ben R
    13. Posted by Ben R Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:07 pm EDT

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    When a guy has been at the top of the sport like chuck has, there's not much point in him staying if he can't hang with the best. Oscar de la Hoya retired becuase there was no point in him fighting if he couldn't hang with the best. Plus like Dana said, he has the money and been a champion. It would be sad to see him take beatings for no reason and pointlesly suffer an injury.
  14. Brian K
    14. Posted by Brian K Mon Jun 29, 2009 7:50 pm EDT

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    i'll bet white would let liddell fight if his opponent was tom "the t-shirt guy" atencio.
  15. Snappa
    15. Posted by Snappa Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:23 pm EDT

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    Rumor is Kimbo won 2 fights. One in the cage and another in the house where he as provoked and attacked by another contestant. Kimbo "allegedly" tried to be calm and not escalate the fight but he was attacked and he defended himself with a KO.
    NOW.... that is just rumors so take it however. I'm not stating it as fact just saying what I heard from a couple of ppl who frequent those gyms in vegas. Mind you they can just be repeating the same rumor that they heard themselves.
    Another story I heard is that Slice was pretty chill and humble. And that one of the NFL guys is acting like a diva. (no that is not the guy he got into fight with.)
  16. AdamG
    16. Posted by AdamG Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:31 pm EDT

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    I don't blame Dana for his initial reaction. Chuck is his friend, and he was probably disturbed to see him lose like that. White knows that it is Lidell's decision, and I hope Chuck makes the right one.
  17. MMAniac
    17. Posted by MMAniac Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:58 pm EDT

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    For all the jokes and obvious lack of talent, every time I've seen Kimbo he's been a class act. Say what you want about his undeserved fame but the guy is always humble and respectful.
  18. MMAniac
    18. Posted by MMAniac Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:05 pm EDT

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    What I saw was that Wes Sims leaked that Kimbo lost through sherdog, but unknown if its legit
  19. David C
    19. Posted by David C Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    Can someone tell me where I can listen to the show if at all possible online and what time it comes on. Thanks in asvance.
  20. demonroute666
    20. Posted by demonroute666 Mon Jun 29, 2009 10:47 pm EDT

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    Look Dana you got three options either one give Chuck his last fight against Rich Franklin, two put him in freakin UFC hall of fame, or three make TUF the comeback (the sequel).
  21. El Zeke
    21. Posted by El Zeke Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:01 pm EDT

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    Great Job Dana! This guy is a class act all the way, there is nothing wrong with speaking your mind. Gimme a job, I'm broke man I'll clean your office!
    -zeke
  22. He-man
    22. Posted by He-man Mon Jun 29, 2009 11:43 pm EDT

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    hahahahha #26 you still got some jizz hangin off the side of your lip. What a pathetic cacksucker you are.
  23. Caligulus
    23. Posted by Caligulus Tue Jun 30, 2009 5:12 am EDT

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    lol he-man nice try I don't don't a poo. If Chuck wants to fight, I think he can convince Dana. But I'm thinking it will be his last, win or lose. And Vitor, Dana said his name, it looks like negotiations aren't going well.
  24. Frank B
    24. Posted by Frank B Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:03 am EDT

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    mr white you said chuck was to old to fight at the age of 40...don't you think then you should look at protecting the health of randy couture who is much older than chuck?

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