During the recent UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin pre fight press conference Dana White left no doubt that he doesn’t want long time fighter and friend Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell to fight again, and he went far enough to say that if Liddell was still thinking of fighting that the UFC would release him to pursue other options. Seems like White is looking after Liddell’s best interests, particularily his health and is certainly standing by his words that Liddell will not fight in the UFC again. Will it remain that way? Here’s the UFC president’s words:
“We’ll have that conversation. I guess if he asked me to release him, I’d release him. That’s not what I want. Everybody knows how I feel about Chuck Liddell. Not only has he been a great friend, he’s been a great business partner, a great champion and a great representative of the UFC. Being one of those guys that when we all came from nothing and then everything blew up – and this guy got more fame and money and all this stuff – he really kept it together. We’ve had a couple of speed bumps, but that can happen to anybody. He’s really kept it together and been a great guy.”
Despite MMA fans like or dislike for the larger than life Dana White, he’s certainly doing the right thing as it relates to Liddell, and he comes across looking very honorable and sincere.