UFC President Dana White has heavily criticised Tito Ortz and Oscar De La Hoya for their part in organising the Chuck Liddell fight.
Liddell, 48, was knocked out in the first round by Ortiz last weekend in what was his first fight in over eight years.
White, who used to manage Liddell, was very much against the former UFC Light heavyweight champion fighting again and he sounded off on both Ortiz and promoter De La Hoya for allowing the fight to happen.
“Listen, I love Chuck Liddell and I don’t ever want to badmouth Chuck Liddell,” White said (transcript via MMANytt). “People do think I’m badmouthing Chuck Liddell , but the reality is, first of all, let’s says this first, I heard last week that the cokehead, ‘Oscar Del La Weirdo’ is talking shit, that I don’t have any place to tell guys when to retire.
“First of all, it’s called friendship you f***ing cokehead. I’ve been friends with Chuck Liddell for 20 years and the reality is that Chuck Liddell retired when he should’ve retired, 8 or 9 years ago, whenever it was.
“Chuck Liddell is 50-years-old and has no business fighting anymore and the fact that the State of California even let that fight happen is disgusting, it’s disgusting.
“Chuck Liddell is a huge superstar and has a great legacy in this sport. So of course, as a friend, anyone that claims to be a friend of Chuck Liddell and was anywhere near this fight is full of s***. They aren’t a friend of Chuck Liddell. To let him go in and fight this fight. It’s terrible.”
Ortiz defended his part in the fight and said that he was willing to put his life on the life for the bout and that he was not motivated by financial incentives.
“I’ve had some time to think about this fight verse @chuckliddell How it came to be?,” Ortiz wrote on an Instagram post.
“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”
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