• UFC 115

Liddell and Franklin confirmed for UFC 115

Chuck Liddell's focus will have to turn back to matters in the Octagon © Getty Images

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Two warriors of the Octagon will collide at UFC 115, with Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin scheduled to meet in Vancouver on June 12.

Liddell, one of the giants of UFC, had been scheduled to match up against Tito Ortiz but will now take on Franklin. UFC president Dana White would not be drawn to comment on why there will be no Ortiz at UFC 115, but confirmed the clash between Liddell and Franklin.

"Fans and media have been asking me for weeks what is happening on The Ultimate Fighter Season 11, saying things like 'is Tito off the show, is Chuck fighting Rich?'" White told UFC.com. "Today, I'm officially announcing that Chuck Liddell will fight Rich Franklin at UFC 115. I wish I could tell you why, but everyone's just going to have to watch The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 on Spike TV. What I can say is that these are two UFC legends, and they give everything they have in every second of a fight.

"Both of these guys are looking to get back to the top of the light heavyweight division. Liddell and Franklin at 205 pounds is going to be a war, and I can't wait to do our first UFC event ever in Vancouver."

Liddell has not fought since suffering defeat to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in April 2009, after which White suggested the veteran was heading into retirement, but "The Iceman" is now ready to hit Franklin with both barrels.

"I'm ready for this fight, I'm in the best shape of my life, and I can't wait to get back in the Octagon," Liddell said. "I'm knocking Rich out."

"Chuck is a game fighter," Franklin said. "I'm excited about fighting Chuck, I'm going to give everything I have, and I look forward to giving fans a great fight in Vancouver."

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