Tito Ortiz Addresses Criticism Over Chuck Liddell Fight: ‘He Called Me Out’

The trilogy bout between Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell drew plenty of criticism throughout the MMA community, particularly because Liddell was eight years removed from his last professional appearance.

“The Iceman” looked like a fighter nearing 50 years old this past Saturday, as he suffered a knockout loss to Ortiz 4:24 into the opening stanza of the Golden Boy MMA headliner at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Ortiz, while nowhere near his prime, still had 10 bouts to his credit since Liddell’s first retirement.

Ortiz recently attempted to justify the booking against Liddell in a lengthy Instagram post.

“I’ve had some time to think about this fight [vs. Chuck Liddell],” Ortiz wrote. “How [did] it come to be? This is something that Chuck wanted, I was OK doing my businesses. He called me out. Yes, I [agreed] and helped make it happen with [Golden Boy Boxing].”

After losing to Liddell in two previous Octagon bouts more than a decade earlier, Ortiz said he wanted “redemption” against his old rival.

“I’ve never been so nervous before a fight like this one, but I knew I was ready,” he wrote. “The mind games that Chuck was playing made me work harder. So thank you, Chuck. I was in a lose-lose situation but I was willing to gamble my health. Chuck said he was ready. I knew I was ready, may the best fighter win. In this case it was me.

“…I respect Chuck for stepping up and following through with the fight. You’re a champion and a hall of fame legend that brought the best out of me! Sorry to all your fans, I was on a mission.”

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I’ve had some time to think about this fight verse @chuckliddell How it came to be? This is something that chuck wanted I was ok doing my businesses. He called me out. Yes I agree and helped make it happen with @goldenboyboxing . I took this fight very serious that’s why I put in a 18 week camp. 3x a day 6 days a week. I sacrificed everything. I was willing to put my life on the line. One year ago I had 3 level disk replacement in my neck. Plus 7 other major surgeries since 2009. But was still willing to take a chance against someone who beat me twice before. There is not quit in me. I have made mistakes and I have learned from them. That’s life! I want to fail so I can learn to better myself. I have lived my life with ups and downs but at the end of the day I keep learning. I wish more people would. Having everyone saying why are you fighting chuck again he beat you twice? 1. He called me out 2. I always wanted redemption. 3. I’m here to prove my fans were right and the haters were wrong. 4. An opportunity to start a new organization that will take care of the fighters as they should be. I showed the world what hard work and dedication can get you. I’ve never been so nervous before a fight like this one but I knew I was ready. The mind games that chuck was playing made me work harder. So thank you chuck. I was in a lose lose situation but I was willing to gamble with my health. Chuck said he was ready I knew I was ready, may the best fighter win. In this case it was me. I need to thank all my fans,friends and family that supported me for this fight. I couldn’t have done it without you! I respect chuck for stepping up and following through with the fight. You’re a champion and hall of fame legend that brought the best out of me! Sorry to all your fans I was on a mission. Thank you @moses___murrietta @parilloboxing @herdemkalash @raphaeldavis205 @scottcarrgbcm @jaysilvamma @ufcgymhuntingtonbeach @rvca you all help build me up so I could knock him down! THANK YOU!!!!

A post shared by titoortiz1999 (@titoortiz1999) on Nov 26, 2018 at 5:56pm PST