Some lessons in life can only be learned one way – the hard way. Thankfully for this UFC fan, Tito Ortiz is a major glutton for punishment.
In a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, Tito stated the following with regards to a third fight with the legendary (and possibly retired?) Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell:
“I know I’ve lost two matches. I still think I can beat him.”
Oh really? Based on what Tito? The fact that Chuck has been completely inactive from the sport for the past seven months? Or based on the fact that his best years are now behind him?
Maybe you think that by calling Chuck out in the media, he will somehow feel that he has something more to prove to the world?
Well, you’re the one with something to prove Tito and everyone, including yourself, knows it.
“I think if I call him out enough times I think he’ll be a man and step up.”
Yes Tito, you are correct. Chuck Liddell has been ducking you his whole career.
Oh wait…no that’s you!
The “longest running Light Heavyweight Champion in the history of the UFC” has a great ring to it Tito – until you consider that you ran away from Chuck like a scared little girl for over two years before finally fighting him at UFC 47.
How did that fight work out for you by the way?
Oh and personally, I hardly think that five title defenses over a span of three and half years is anything to be proud of.
“You know me, I’m not afraid to fight anyone.”
C’mon…really? Do I even have to add a comment to this one? Your lame intimidation tactics tell the entire story. You are a chicken in wolf’s clothing. I don’t see you calling out Rua or Machida. (Gee….I wonder why?)
Here’s what I remember from Ortiz vs Shamrock 3 in 2006. A much older, punch-drunk Shamrock lost with enormous class. A younger Tito won without any.
Hey Tito, you are my hero! What’s next? Beating up that homeless dude from your Youtube video? Maybe you should focus on Forrest Griffin – I can assure you, he also has something to prove and he’s looking directly at you to do it.
“He already proved he’s not my friend, so the hell with it. I’ve got nothing to lose. Lets make some money, and this time I’m going to kick his ass.”
Bingo! There it is folks! The money. What a shocker.
First off, stop crying about your lost friendship with Chuck. News flash! It never existed (according to Chuck anyway) and nobody cares even if it did.
Second, you’re right Tito, you have NOTHING to lose and EVERYTHING to gain. So why should Chuck even bother with you?
Well, I think I know why he should. Perhaps to finish what he should have finished long ago.
“All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be completely crushed. (Sometimes they have learned this the hard way.) If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out. More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge. Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.”
I know that a lot of people have written Chuck off as being too old, too slow, or too predictable. Based on Chuck’s last few fights, it’s easy to see why people would be saying that. Quite simply – Chuck has not been the same Chuck that we have all come to admire and worship throughout the years.
Despite that however, here is my prediction if this fight were to actually take place.
Chuck Liddell would return in the absolute best shape of his life. His motivation would stem, not from winning the UFC Championship (thus painfully admitting that he would have to face far superior and much younger athletes), but from crushing Tito Ortiz (again) in what would probably be his last fight ever in the UFC.
Chuck doesn’t want to go out a loser. He wants to go out with a win and who better to get that win from than Tito Ortiz?
It all comes down to motivation. Chuck Liddell knows he’s getting older. All he has to do is look in the mirror each morning to figure that out (or read any given article on the Bleacher Report – some of us it seems are all too happy to remind him).
For Chuck to train each and every day without a goal that he can get excited about is very difficult to do. It would be difficult for anybody.
I really hope that Chuck accepts the challenge put forth by Tito. Chuck Liddell is the kind of guy that the fans love because he does all of his talking with his fists. Period.
Tito on the other hand simply runs his mouth because he is determined to court attention at all cost.
Tito Ortiz, in my less than humble opinion, is acting like a pathetic loser who has now embroiled himself in a win-win situation by calling out Chuck Liddell.
Oh and in case you haven’t guessed by now, I am not a huge Tito Ortiz fan. I persoannly find him to be the most disrespectful and unsportsmanlike athlete today and as a coach and father, I just can’t condone that type of behaviour.
if chuck was 95 years old, hospitalized, had feeding tubes attached and ready for the bone-yard ..he could still whoop titos ass…pass the corn nuts..
Great job!
Tito would kick the blank out of him. I mean whats Chuck gunna do? Try to do a Samba with him? Who are we kidding- every time the “Iceman” gets knocked out cold (like that?) he looks more and more pathetic.
Tito is younger and still in his prime and Im sure he hasnt let himself go. Hes too vain for that.
Tito would push him against the cage- pick him up, slam him to the mat and then rearange Chucks facial features.
Personally I hope Chuck is stupid enuf to take that fight.
I think Chuck has Tito's number, but even if Chuck wins, he's not going to get close to the title, because everyone else has his number. I think Tito has the better chance of getting the title back,.. he just needs to stay away from chuck.
marrying Jenna Jamieson? smart? or not smart? LOL
What's that they say?… why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?? LOL
Damn James, dont hold back bro, tell us how you really feel, lol. I dont see this going too far. I mean, Tito has to focus on Forrest right now. Once we see how that one goes, then he can talk about whats next, until then it strikes me as hot air. Personally, I dont find the fight exciting at all, the potential of seeing Chuck fight anyone really doesnt grab me. I have never been his biggest fan but I do respect his accomplishments in this sport. He can do nothing to top those accomplishments and really can only tarnish them moving forward. Enough damage has been done to his legacy with more than one untimely KO at the hands of the next generation of fighters. Tito needs to keep his eyes front and focus on Forrest, I dont imagine Griffin is worrying about his next opponent, he is focusing on beating Tito. Tito should do the same.
LOL I generally try not to. Sometimes it gets me in hot water but I'm always ready to defend my honour LOL
Ya, I don't even know why Tito is thinking about Chuck. Worry about Forrest. If he has serious ambitions about the championship, than he needs to stay focused.
I wonder how he really rates his chances in the division now anyway? He couldn't beat Chuck and Chuck couldn't seem to beat the 'now' top guys, so I don't see Tito being anything other than a ratings/money grabber.
I read what you said before about not saying anything about a fighter that you wouldn't be willing to say to his face. I agreed with that and don't think that I didn't keep that in mind while I was writing this
Cheers Todd.
Hey bro, I say that as a rule to live by but as they say, rules are made to be broken. I have some choice thoughts that I may not share with Rampage but Ive let them leak regardless. Sometimes we feel strongly enough about something its appropriate to share how we see it. Its not worth hiding our perception solely on the basis that we might not share the same opinion in person. I dont throw stones James, write as you see fit, thats the beauty of what we do. Its the stuff that goes off the deep end that Im normally referring to. This is a leap but definitely not over the top. Tito is a contraversial dude, and he knows it, he should expect some backlash for his comments and actions. Thats what were here for. And yes, Tito is here to make PPV sales and I dont see much more than that. I will hold further judgement for after I see his first fight back since UFC 14. Then I can speak a little bit more about what I think he can do moving forward.
I love how when Tito was champ he ducked Chuck now that he thinks Chuck is washed up he calls him out. I think it is like the AKA guys calling out Hughes they want to be able to say they beat so an so even though Chuck and Hughes are a shell of their old selves and well out of their primes.
Hey Tony,
Thanks for checking it out and leaving a comment. Tito is a poser.
His poor sportsmanship and disrespectful behaviour is appalling to me and I won't let it go unnoticed.
Is it just me, or has the UFC slowly been taking a page out of the WWE (attitude wise)?
I had a student (early 20's) ask me a couple weeks back why don't I write an article about Hulk Hogan.
“Why would I do that?” I asked.
“Because you're into all that stuff aren't you? The UFC and stuff?”
I laughed so hard!! It's getting to be so that the casual fan can't even tell the difference anymore. Sad.
LMFAO that was actually very funny, great job.
I will always root for anybody who goes up against Chuck Liddell. I have only been watching MMA for about five years, so I started watching it around the beginning of Liddell's title reign. I've had to deal with douchebags who worshipped him and thought he was God. I even saw one guy who had a mohawk and copied the tattoos on his head. I was extremely disappointed when he schooled Tito and would love to see him get another shot.
good read James
c'mon Forrest, kick his ass!
Great article James. Calling out the iceman right now is pretty damn lame. Why didn't he call out Shamrock for Tito/Shamrock IV while he was dropping names. The guy beat you, convincingly, twice, where You had absolutely no answer for anything in either fight. I hope Chuck takes the fight and beats his ass, but even if Tito wins I don't think that'll mean much in terms of LHW placement.
Hery man Great article. I agree Tito calling out Chuck now doesn't prove anything
I will give Tito credit for one thing though…
http://mrjamesryan.com/2009/11/19/tito-ortiz-th…
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