13/03/10 - Tito out, Franklin in for fight with Chuck Liddell
Chuck Liddell will be fighting Rich Franklin in his next bout and not rival TUF 11 coach Tito Ortiz, Fighters Only has heard from a reliable source. The switch was initially reported to us just under two weeks ago but was only a rumour at that time.

However, the rumour hit message boards late last night and an industry source confirmed that Liddell will indeed be facing former middleweight champion Rich Franklin. The fight is to headline an April 17th Fight Night event which will counter Strikeforce’s show on the same date.

Rumour has it that the event will be staged in Nashville and be broadcast for free on the Spike TV network. That would present Strikeforce with the double problem of competing head-to-head with the UFC both for arena audience and television audience.

The Tennessee State Athletic Commission has not yet received an application from the UFC to stage an event in Nashville but the organisation has until Thursday to do so. Strikeforce said recently they have the option of moving to the 24th of April but the closer the date gets the more problematic a move will become.

Ortiz is out of the fight but not because of injury; he is healthy and is not suffering back problems as some rumours claim. The reason for his withdrawal is known to Fighters Only is something that may significantly impact his future as a fighter, but we cannot report the details at this point.