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Some lessons in life can only be learned one way—the hard way.  Thankfully for this UFC fan, Tito Ortiz is a major glutton for punishment.

In a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, Tito stated the following with regards to a third fight with the legendary (and possibly retired?) Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell:

"I know I’ve lost two matches. I still think I can beat him.”

Oh really?  Based on what Tito?  The fact that Chuck has been completely inactive from the sport for the past seven months?  Or based on the fact that his best years are now behind him?

Maybe you think that by calling Chuck out in the media, he will somehow feel that he has something more to prove to the world?

Well, you’re the one with something to prove Tito and everyone, including yourself, knows it. 

“I think if I call him out enough times I think he’ll be a man and step up.”

Yes Tito, you are correct.  Chuck Liddell has been ducking you his whole career. 

Oh wait…no that’s you!

The “longest running Light Heavyweight Champion in the history of the UFC” has a great ring to it Tito – until you consider that you ran away from Chuck like a scared little girl for over two years before finally fighting him at UFC 47. 

How did that fight work out for you by the way?

Oh and personally, I hardly think that five title defenses over a span of three and half years is anything to be proud of.

“You know me, I’m not afraid to fight anyone.”

C’mon…really?  Do I even have to add a comment to this one?  Your lame intimidation tactics tell the entire story.  You are a chicken in wolf’s clothing.  I don’t see you calling out Rua or Machida (gee….I wonder why?).

Here’s what I remember from Ortiz vs Shamrock 3 in 2006.  A much older, punch-drunk Shamrock lost with enormous class.  A younger Tito won without any. 

Hey Tito, you are my hero!  What’s next?  Beating up that homeless dude from your Youtube video?  Maybe you should focus on Forrest Griffin – I can assure you, he also has something to prove and he’s looking directly at you to do it.

“He already proved he’s not my friend, so the hell with it. I’ve got nothing to lose. Lets make some money, and this time I’m going to kick his ass."

Bingo! There it is folks!  The money.  What a shocker.

First off, stop crying about your lost friendship with Chuck.  News flash!  It never existed (according to Chuck anyway) and nobody cares even if it did.

Second, you’re right Tito, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  So why should Chuck even bother with you?

Well, I think I know why he should.  Perhaps to finish what he should have finished long ago.

“All great leaders since Moses have known that a feared enemy must be completely crushed (sometimes they have learned this the hard way).  If one ember is left alight, no matter how dimly it smolders, a fire will eventually break out.  More is lost through stopping halfway than through total annihilation: The enemy will recover, and will seek revenge.  Crush him, not only in body but in spirit.”

I know that a lot of people have written Chuck off as being too old, too slow, or too predictable.  Based on Chuck’s last few fights, it’s easy to see why people would be saying that.  Quite simply – Chuck has not been the same Chuck that we have all come to admire and worship throughout the years.

Despite that however, here is my prediction if this fight were to actually take place.

Chuck Liddell would return in the absolute best shape of his life.  His motivation would stem, not from winning the UFC Championship (thus painfully admitting that he would have to face far superior and much younger athletes), but from crushing Tito Ortiz (again) in what would probably be his last fight ever in the UFC.

Chuck doesn’t want to go out a loser.  He wants to go out with a win and who better to get that win from than Tito Ortiz?

It all comes down to motivation.  Chuck Liddell knows he’s getting older.  All he has to do is look in the mirror each morning to figure that out (or read any given article on the Bleacher Report—some of us it seems are all too happy to remind him).

For Chuck to train each and every day without a goal that he can get excited about is very difficult to do.  It would be difficult for anybody.

I really hope that Chuck accepts the challenge put forth by Tito.  Chuck Liddell is the kind of guy that the fans love because he does all of his talking with his fists.  Period.

Tito on the other hand simply runs his mouth because he is determined to court attention at all cost. 

Tito Ortiz, in my less than humble opinion, is a pathetic loser who has embroiled himself in a win-win situation by calling out Chuck Liddell.

Oh and in case you haven’t guessed by now, I am not a Tito Ortiz fan.  I’ve left that up to my fellow Bleacher Report colleague, Robert Gardner. 

You’re welcome Robert.

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