Tito Ortiz Now Open To Fighting Chuck Liddell

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champions Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell had one of the greatest rivalries in UFC history.

Ortiz had previously shot down a third opportunity to fight his longtime rival, but the former champion has apparently had a change of heart and has spoken to the UFC about it.

“I have a lot of interest level,” said Ortiz to TMZ Sports. “Actually, on New Year’s, I asked the matchmakers for the UFC if they’d ever want to do a Chuck Liddell-Tito Ortiz III and he kind of looked at me and laughed and said, ‘Chuck couldn’t pass to fight again. He’s been knocked out, unconscious, five times.’ I guarantee you the doctor won’t give him a license.”

Liddell won both of the previous encounters with Ortiz, earning those victories at UFC 47 and UFC 66.

The Huntington Beach Bad Boy says he would even take the fight to help out Liddell, who is apparently going through some issues.

“It’s up to them,” said Ortiz. “I thought of it just because I was pumped because of the UFC in general, being back in the house, but I don’t know. I would like another go at it. I left on a high stool of choking Chael within two-and-a-half minutes. My body’s fine. I know Chuck Liddell’s been knocked out unconscious to the point where they had to give him the smelling salts to make him feel better but he’s looking to be a paycheck. I understand it. I have other businesses, and it’s not a hurry for me to fight. I don’t want to fight, I don’t need to fight, but if Chuck needs to, I’ll be a good friend like he was once and give him a payday.”

If the bout were to come together, it would be Ortiz’s first fight since Bellator 170 and Liddell’s first fight since UFC 115.