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[popsicle1228]

"The Ultimate Fighter 11" coach Chuck Liddell will fight fellow UFC legend Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 115, after all.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) first reported earlier this month that Liddell, who originally was slated to fight fellow "TUF 11" coach Tito Ortiz at the June 12 show at Vancouver's GM Place, will instead fight replacement coach Franklin.

However, UFC president Dana White initially denied the report and said he instead planned to pit Franklin against Randy Couture. But later, he said fans simply would need to tune into "TUF 11" to see what happens.

UFC 115 airs on pay-per-view.

Although Franklin will replace Ortiz at some point on the Spike TV reality series, Ortiz remains on the show through the first two episodes. Episode No. 3 airs Wednesday. (To avoid spoilers, MMAjunkie.com will not report the reason of Ortiz's departure.)

Despite the report and subsequent speculation, Liddell said in a recent media conference call promoting "TUF 11" that he assumed he would be fighting Ortiz at UFC 115. Instead, it'll be Franklin.

Liddell (21-7 MMA, 16-6 UFC) fights for the first time since an April 2009 knockout loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua that prompted White to announced Liddell's retirement. The loss was "The Iceman's" fourth in five fights.

Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame soon after, but the former UFC light heavyweight champion has maintained since that UFC 97 loss to Rua that he hadn't closed the door on a possible return to competition.

Franklin (26-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) returns to the cage after what will be a nine-month layoff. Following a busy 2009 fight schedule in which Franklin headlined three shows (two overseas), the former UFC middleweight champion took time off to recover from various ailments and to pursue business interests.

Most recently, Franklin suffered a first-round knockout loss to Vitor Belfort at UFC 103. He now fights at light heavyweight for the third time in five fights; he also fought in a pair of 195-pound catchweight fights against Belfort and Wanderlei Silva (decision win).

For the latest on UFC 115, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

UFC 115 features Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin, not Tito Ortiz, in headliner | MMAjunkie.com

[Inventor]

Note to myself, don't believe anything Dana says on twitter from now on.

[Sakara=Excitement]

Here's the event poster.

Snapshot of the Day: UFC 115 - Liddell vs. Franklin

Main Card:
Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell
Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves*
Paulo Thiago vs. Martin Kampmann
Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham
Mirko Cro Cop vs. Pat Barry
Carlos Condit vs. Rory MacDonald

Undercard:
Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel
Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman
James Wilks vs. Peter Sobotta
Mike Pyle vs. Jesse Lennox
Claude Patrick vs. Ricardo Funch
*not yet confirmed

[The8thPlague]

SWEET. Much better than seeing Chuck KO Tito for a 3rd time.

[kickass32]

Didn't Jenna recently have a miscarriage and lose her baby? Is this the reason Tito left the show??
If memory serves me correct, the time frame seems to fit.

[jlruthven84]

MMAJunkie is generally pretty reliable, so I'm accepting this. Much better fight than Chuck/Tito III...though I'm not sure I like Liddell's chances here.

[Tyreas]

Originally Posted by Sakara=Excitement

One more article to throw around. Still have a hard time believing anything unless Dana, Chuck, or Rich says anything.

Its true...said so in an official UFC email I got.

Two UFC® Legends Meet In VancouverFor the first time ever, the Octagon® makes its way to Vancouver, British Columbia for a showdown between two former champions - Chuck Liddell battles Rich Franklin on Saturday, June 12 at General Motors Place. Tickets on sale this week!

[MMAV]

well i hope the reason for titos departure wasnt serious, i still want Liddell to win and tito was kind of a sure thing but now im kinda worried that Franklin will win this.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Well...if everybody wanted to see Chuck Liddell actually last an entire three round fight, losing a decision after being outpointed all night, this is the fight for them.

Franklin is a solid striker, but as shown against more powerful strikers in Wand, Hendo and Vitor his throwdowns will go one of two ways; get on the bike and ride while trying to score points on the periphery OR get punched in the ear by Vitor. Either way, it's ok, but not all too a) important b)exciting.

[MetallicKnight3X]

I think this is a much better match up. One that can really be a fight to go down in history both sluggers will stand and bang but i think it will go to decision.. either way this fight will be one to watch