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Chuck Liddell's Coach John Hackleman on KO by Tito Ortiz: 'It Was a Travesty'
November 26, 2018
Chuck Liddell's longtime coach, John Hackleman, has described the MMA legend's defeat to Tito Ortiz as a "travesty."
The pair faced off in a Golden Boy MMA bout on Saturday, with Ortiz winning by a first-round knockout in Inglewood, California.
Speaking on Ariel Helwani's MMA Show (h/t Brett Okamato of ESPN), Hackleman, who was apparently not involved in this particular bout, said: "I felt sick to my stomach. It was a travesty. It was a travesty."
This was the third time the pair have met, with Liddell the winner in the previous two fights in 2004 and 2006.
However, the 48-year-old was clearly out of shape and off the pace needed to compete, and Ortiz comprehensively claimed the victory.
Liddell was knocked out cold, leading to wild celebrations from Ortiz and his camp.
The Iceman had not fought professionally since 2010, and it was present in his approach and work. Ortiz last featured at Bellator 170 in 2017, and he was clearly better prepared for action.
Liddell was slow and ponderous, an easy target to hit. The defeat could go down as a black mark on the UFC legend's career, but his two wins over Ortiz came in the prime of their tenures in the Octagon.
