Chuck Liddell’s Future

Dana White and  John Hackleman genuinely hate each other but they have same feeling for Chuck, they want him the best. Obviously they have difference of opinions regarding Chuck’s future:

On Thursday at the MGM Grand, following the prefight news conference for UFC 98, White wouldn’t entirely rule out the possibility of Liddell fighting again.

He said “there are no rumblings” that Liddell may fight once more and placed the blame for the speculation on Hackleman. But when prodded with the fact that Liddell himself said he’s still mulling his future, White backed off slightly.

“Trust me when I tell you, he’s ready to retire,” White said. “He’s ready to retire. It’s the reason we love Chuck Liddell. He has nothing left to prove. He’s got a [expletive] load of money. He’s been a world champion. He’s beaten a who’s who of mixed martial arts fighters. He’s the most famous guy in the sport. There’s no reason to fight. He’s 40 years old, man. He and I had an agreement. We had a deal.

“Am I his father? Can I tell him not to fight? Absolutely not. If he still wants to fight, he can fight. I’m not saying, ‘It will never happen. It will never happen.’ But he made a deal with me. He’s never not listened to me. We’ll see what happens.”

“I don’t know, man,” he said, grimacing. “I’m honestly telling you guys I can not see him coming back to me and saying, ‘I want to fight one more.’ We already did that. I can’t see it happening. I think there are a lot of people around him who need his money putting pressure on him. That’s what I think.

– Dana White

“[Liddell is] turning 40, but he’s a strong 40. I’ll be with him whatever he decides to do. If I felt there was even a chance of disability or a brain injury, I wouldn’t want him to fight.”
–John Hackleman

Latest info that we have is that Chuck would like to continue fighting, but there is too much in stake with regards to his relation with Dana White. This decision will be influenced by terms of contracts between UFC and Chuck Lidell, since Chuck has one more fight in the contract.

Once contract expired Chuck will be “free” agent and then he can decide what he wants to do.

What about rematch Tito vs Chuck or Babalu vs Chuck etc.