2010-07-27 02:35:26 +0000 #1
LIDDELL STRUGGLING WITH RETIREMENT DECISION
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
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"Retirement is the ugliest word in the language." – Ernest Hemmingway.
Most people don't get the pleasure of having a job they love. Even less people love their job so much that they wouldn’t walk away from it when given the chance to successfully retire and relax. That's just how much Chuck Liddell loves fighting.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion has recently been back on the ropes about walking away from the sport he's been involved in for the past 12 years.
Liddell sat down this week with his boss and old friend Dana White to discuss his future. The UFC president admits that the "Iceman" is struggling with the decision to call it a career.
"Dinner was great, it's always cool hanging out with my friend," said White. "Chuck's having a hard time with this thing. He told me (on Saturday night)... the show opened, messed him up, watching the show open. You've got to understand this guy has been in this longer than me. He's been around forever, and he loves this sport, but all I'm hoping for is that he's going to make the right decision."
There is only one right decision in White’s eyes.
"I'm hoping (Chuck’s) going to retire," he said.
Prior to UFC 116, White said that Liddell would never step foot in the UFC Octagon again, and that was the final word on the former champion's career. Ever since losing his comeback bid to Rich Franklin in June, Liddell has been on the fence, trying to make a decision.
The San Luis Obispo, Calif., fighter has stated that he would like to come back and possibly face old foe Tito Ortiz, but if he's going to be in the UFC, White will ultimately be the one to make that call.
While still fully behind the idea of Liddell's retirement, White did take time to apologize to the people surrounding him.
"Remember when I was basically smashing everybody around him at the press conference, and calling them ‘cling-ons?’ Well, I apologize for that, cause Chuck told me that that's not the case," White stated.
"Their feeling is the same thing. These are guys that care about him, been around him a long time. They're willing to back him or support him in any way he wants. They're being friends."
Liddell will likely need support from those friends, supporters, fans, and family to make a final decision about where he goes from here, but the message has been written solidly on the wall by the UFC.
It's time to walk away.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Retirement is the ugliest word in the language." – Ernest Hemmingway.
Most people don't get the pleasure of having a job they love. Even less people love their job so much that they wouldn’t walk away from it when given the chance to successfully retire and relax. That's just how much Chuck Liddell loves fighting.
The former UFC light heavyweight champion has recently been back on the ropes about walking away from the sport he's been involved in for the past 12 years.
Liddell sat down this week with his boss and old friend Dana White to discuss his future. The UFC president admits that the "Iceman" is struggling with the decision to call it a career.
"Dinner was great, it's always cool hanging out with my friend," said White. "Chuck's having a hard time with this thing. He told me (on Saturday night)... the show opened, messed him up, watching the show open. You've got to understand this guy has been in this longer than me. He's been around forever, and he loves this sport, but all I'm hoping for is that he's going to make the right decision."
There is only one right decision in White’s eyes.
"I'm hoping (Chuck’s) going to retire," he said.
Prior to UFC 116, White said that Liddell would never step foot in the UFC Octagon again, and that was the final word on the former champion's career. Ever since losing his comeback bid to Rich Franklin in June, Liddell has been on the fence, trying to make a decision.
The San Luis Obispo, Calif., fighter has stated that he would like to come back and possibly face old foe Tito Ortiz, but if he's going to be in the UFC, White will ultimately be the one to make that call.
While still fully behind the idea of Liddell's retirement, White did take time to apologize to the people surrounding him.
"Remember when I was basically smashing everybody around him at the press conference, and calling them ‘cling-ons?’ Well, I apologize for that, cause Chuck told me that that's not the case," White stated.
"Their feeling is the same thing. These are guys that care about him, been around him a long time. They're willing to back him or support him in any way he wants. They're being friends."
Liddell will likely need support from those friends, supporters, fans, and family to make a final decision about where he goes from here, but the message has been written solidly on the wall by the UFC.
It's time to walk away.
