Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin Now Likely as UFC 115 Main Event In Vancouver

It was originally reported earlier today, by Fighters Only Magazine, that Chuck Liddell (21-7) would not be facing Tito Ortiz (15-7-1) at the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter 11. The two were previously strongly rumoured to be facing off for their third time at UFC 115 in Vancouver, B.C.

The reasons behind Tito's withdrawal from the fight are not entirely clear at this time, but, according to F.O.M.'s sources, it is not his long-injured back, but "something that may significantly impact [Tito's] future as a fighter." It is also unclear how this news has affected the taping of the SpikeTV reality show, which recently wrapped production.

When the news of Tito's inability to fight first broke, it was initially believed that Liddell would now appear in the headlining slot of the as-yet-unofficial UFC show on April 17th, which was deliberately created to counter Strikeforce's second CBS show on the same day. His rumoured opponent is current light-heavyweight contender, former middleweight champions and potential fellow UFC hall-of-famer, Rich "Ace" Franklin (25-5). However, it has since been reported by MMAJunkie.com that if Liddell vs. Franklin does happen it will not be in April, but at UFC 115 in Vancouver, where Chuck was originally likely to appear. Further, Sherdog.com has now reported that both fighters have verbally agreed to the bout.

In the minds of many B.C. MMA Fans, the switch from Tito to Rich as Chuck Liddell's opponent on June 12th in GM Place will come as a welcome change. If for no other reason than because Chuck has already defeated Tito on two separate occasions in the past, both times by (T)KO.

The Current Rumoured Card For UFC 115 Is As Follows:

Main Event:

Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin

Main Card:

Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald [CAN]
Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
Pat Barry vs. Mirko Filipovic

Under Card:
Gilbert Yvel vs. Ben Rothwell
Mac Danzig vs Matt Wiman
James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox
Claude Patrick [CAN] vs. TBA

Couture vs. Franklin Possible For June's UFC 115 in Vancouver, B.C.

Mere hours after it was suggested on this site that Randy "The Natural" Couture (18-10) should face Rich "Ace" Franklin (25-5) in his next fight, it has been reported by Sherdog.com that the fighters have been approached by the UFC about the possibility of squaring of at Vancouver, B.C.'s first ever UFC card in June.

(There is no word yet on whether the winner would be guaranteed a title shot as we suggested earlier today.)

Randy Couture has since commented that he will need to give the bout some careful contemplation because it may conflict with prior commitments he has made in the film industry. If this fight eventually becomes official it could find itself as the co-main event behind Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz III, meaning fans in GM Place would be treated to a night filled with four of the most recognizable and established athletes that the sport of MMA has ever produced.

Full Rumoured Card For UFC 115:

Randy Couture vs. Rich Franklin

Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz

Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald [CAN]

Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham

Pat Barry vs. Gilbert Yvel

James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta