Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin, headliners at this weekend’s UFC event in Vancouver, were all smiles Thursday ahead of punching each other in the face at GM Place Saturday night.
Both fighters claimed to have no dislike of the other during the final press conference for UFC 115.
Despite the niceties, Liddell said he was in the best shape of his life and that he’s “going to come out on top.”
Franklin, who described Liddell as a “great fighter,” said his opponent “has a few tricks up his sleeve” and won’t solely be looking for the knockout.
UFC president Dana White said that since Tito Ortiz dropped out of the fight due to injury, “the hostility is not the same.”
It’s sure to return in the octagon as both aging fighters are coming off losses and need a win to keep their careers going.
The jovial mood was also present between the two heavyweights at the press conference, Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic and Patrick Barry, who admitted to idolizing his opponent.
When Barry asked Cro Cop for an autograph, the Croatian replied he’ll get one on Saturday night.
