Originally scheduled to be a third meeting between long-time rivals Liddell and Tito Ortiz following their time coaching opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter, Franklin tagged in for Ortiz on the long-running reality TV competition when the former light heavyweight champion withdrew with an injury.
Liddell was in the twilight of his career, having dropped consecutive bouts to Rashad Evans and Shogun Rua, but had taken the previous year to get into tremendous shape, in hopes of beating Ortiz once again and showing that he still had something left in the tank. Franklin was his usual consistent self, having remained a constant main event presence while bouncing between divisions and serving as a quality measuring stick every time out.
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“The Iceman” started well and looked sharp, but Franklin remained game and continued to hunt. In the waning moments of the opening round, Liddell crashed forward, landing a short elbow as the two broke, only for Franklin to connect with a left hand as he looked to follow up.
Liddell crashed to the floor and the fight was immediately halted. As he stood in the center of the Octagon awaiting the official result being announced, Franklin stood with his left arm taut, revealing he’d suffered a break earlier in the fight.
As the main event of the first card in Vancouver, this was an incredibly memorable way to close out the show, with one tenured veteran shutting down another, marking the end of Liddell’s UFC career.
