Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell wants to knock Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz out for the third time.

However, after having to grudgingly deal with him in The Ultimate Fighter 11 show for weeks, his chance vanished when The Huntington Beach Bad Boy revealed in Episode 10 that he has a neck surgery that requires immediate surgery.

Dana White was forced to look for a replacement and Rich “Ace” Franklin willingly steps up to the plate.

Liddell (21 wins-7 losses, 13 by KO) is a UFC Hall of Famer and is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. He, along with Tito Ortiz, has the most UFC fights with 22.  Along with fellow UFC fighter, Randy Couture, Liddell is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream of American sports and entertainment.

His last fight was at UFC 97 last April 18, 2009 where he lost to current UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. He has now gone 1-4 in his last 5 fights.

Franklin (26 wins-5 losses, 14 by KO / 9 by submission) is a former UFC middleweight champion. He is also an Octagon veteran with 16 fights to his credit. His last two fights were against two former UFC fighters who were making a comeback. He won in a classic match against Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva at UFC 99 and lost to Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort at UFC 103.

My UFC 115 results prediction?

This matchup will be fought standing up.

While Rich Franklin is the more versatile fighter, Chuck Liddell delivers the greater knockout power.

However, Liddell has not been active lately. He has fought just twice in 2 years. Ring rust may have accumulated on him already. He has won only just once in his last 5 fights.

I think Franklin will fight his way methodically (surely helped by the fact that he is a former Math teacher) to a Unanimous Decision victory utilizing his speed and reach to constantly annoy Liddell for 3 rounds.

Watch UFC 115 LIVE stream FREE via Justin TV or Sopcast on Saturday, June 12, 2010 – 7PM PT / 10PM ET / 3AM BST at the General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The UFC 115 replay immediately follows.

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UPDATE: Rich Franklin knocks out Chuck Liddell at 4:55 of Round 1.

Here’s the Chuck Liddell vs Rich Franklin video:

Check out the other UFC 115 videos from the UFC 115 fight card:

Mirko Cro Cop vs Patrick Barry video
Paulo Thiago vs Martin Kampmann video
Ben Rothwell vs Gilbert Yvel video
Carlos Condit vs Rory MacDonald video
Tyson Griffin vs Evan Dunham video

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Tags: chuck liddell, rich franklin, UFC 115