MMA world in shock over brutal KO of 48-year-old
A 48-year-old UFC Hall of Famer’s first fight in eight years has ended in a brutal first-round knockout defeat.
And he somehow hasn’t conceded he should’ve stayed retired – or that he won’t fight again.
Chuck Liddell and fellow UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz met for a third time, at ages 48 and 43 respectively, but the fight was a mismatch.
Fourteen years after their first bout and 12 years after their second, Ortiz defeated his rival for the first time with 36 seconds left in the opening frame.
While Ortiz had fought four times since 2014 – for three wins – Liddell had safely packed himself away since retiring in 2010 at the behest of his camp.
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According to many viewers, it should’ve stayed that way.
Liddell barely had the ability to defend Ortiz, whose right to the chin floored his opponent late in the first round.
That was ugly. Time will do a number on you, even a once great fighter like Chuck Liddell. I guess the best thing I can say is … could've been worse?
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) November 25, 2018
Tito Ortiz says he wants to see Chuck Liddell continue fighting.
No. Please no. #LiddellOrtiz3
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) November 25, 2018
The Ortiz-Liddell fight is easily the worst thing Golden Boy Promotions has ever done and I say that without having watched the fight. This is a new low.
— Mark Ortega (@MarkEOrtega) November 25, 2018
Who on EARTH cleared Chuck Liddell to fight? This fight should have never happened. Just ridiculous.
— Ryan Phillips (@RumorsandRants) November 25, 2018
There's a reason Dana White made Chuck Liddell retire eight years ago, folks.
MMA is an unforgiving game.
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) November 25, 2018
Yeah, so we didn't discover much. We just got reminded why Liddell was hounded to retire in the first place.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) November 25, 2018
I don't think these guys will exchange Christmas cards, but it did seem like they can put some animosity behind them. I'd rather not see Liddell fight anymore, and I'm one of the guys who has a longer leash when it comes to giving fighters that pass.
— Gorgeous George (@MMAjunkieGeorge) November 25, 2018
Back in his pomp, the punch that sent Liddell crashing to the canvas was something he’d have eaten for breakfast with a side order of knuckle butties
Once the chin goes, a decade of rest can’t salvage it. Such an icon of the game. Please don’t let Chuck fight again #LiddellOrtiz3— Jonathan Shrager (@JonathanShrager) November 25, 2018
We’ve seen fighters who looked washed. We’ve seen fighters who looked shot. We’ve even seen fighters who were clearly under the influence of drugs who were talking to imaginary friends in the cage.
Chuck looked worse than all of them put together. By far.
— David Bixenspan (@davidbix) November 25, 2018
Tito Ortiz just murdered Chuck Liddell in the first round via KO. Sad, sad ending to Liddell’s career. Never should’ve come back. #LiddellOrtiz3
— Michael Stets (@Michael_Stets) November 25, 2018
I'm kinda scared for the health of these two….#LiddellOrtiz3
— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) November 25, 2018
First round KO for @titoortiz. Did nobody brief the commission people who tried to stop him from digging the grave afterwards? Get out the man's way for crying out loud! SMDH #LiddellOrtiz3 #MMA
— Karyn Bryant (@KarynBryant) November 25, 2018
Chuck Liddell has NO business being in that ring 😂😂😂 And if I were Tito Ortiz I would not view that as a win. Much respect for the 2 legends tho
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) November 25, 2018
Liddell was on the back foot for the entire fight but, like a true fighter, only felt he made a strategic mistake.
“I came back. I got in great shape. I was ready for this fight,” he said.
“I got out there and I got caught. I made a mistake and it is what it is. I don’t think it was my best showing for sure.
“I got in shape, I was ready for this fight. I have no excuses.
“We’re going to have to sit back and think about it. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
