Will
06-05-2007, 11:29 PM
MMA legend Tito Ortiz has some harsh words for one of his countless rivals, calling former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell a puppet for Dana White and the UFC.
NBCSports.com has the video.
After the much-hyped exhibition boxing match between Ortiz and White failed to materialize earlier this year — White blamed Ortiz for no-showing, and Ortiz blamed White for requiring him to compete without a contract — Liddell of all people hit the national media, even going so far as requesting an interview with NBCSports.com so he could sound off on Ortiz and claim he was scared to fight White.
Odd, it was, that Liddell was fighting White’s (and the UFC’s) battle.
Ortiz, too, found it ironic.
When asked about Liddell’s media blitz, Ortiz responded:
“I guess Dana White finally let him speak. It’s kind of funny watching the puppet master let the puppet speak. It’s funny because I see Dana words come right out of Chuck Liddell’s mouth.
“That wasn’t Chuck Liddell saying that stuff. That was Dana White telling him to say it.“
Ortiz’s criticism and resentment does seem sincere. With Liddell’s loss to Quinton Jackson last month at UFC 71, it’s hard to argue Ortiz is sounding off simply to build hype for a possible Liddell vs. Ortiz III championship event.
NBCSports.com has the video.
After the much-hyped exhibition boxing match between Ortiz and White failed to materialize earlier this year — White blamed Ortiz for no-showing, and Ortiz blamed White for requiring him to compete without a contract — Liddell of all people hit the national media, even going so far as requesting an interview with NBCSports.com so he could sound off on Ortiz and claim he was scared to fight White.
Odd, it was, that Liddell was fighting White’s (and the UFC’s) battle.
Ortiz, too, found it ironic.
When asked about Liddell’s media blitz, Ortiz responded:
“I guess Dana White finally let him speak. It’s kind of funny watching the puppet master let the puppet speak. It’s funny because I see Dana words come right out of Chuck Liddell’s mouth.
“That wasn’t Chuck Liddell saying that stuff. That was Dana White telling him to say it.“
Ortiz’s criticism and resentment does seem sincere. With Liddell’s loss to Quinton Jackson last month at UFC 71, it’s hard to argue Ortiz is sounding off simply to build hype for a possible Liddell vs. Ortiz III championship event.