Chuck Liddell had to go to hospital after his first-round defeat against Rich Franklin at UFC 115 © UFC Enlarge

UFC President Dana White has said that Chuck Liddell will not fight again following his first-round loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 115.

The loss was the former light-heavyweight champion's fifth in six fights and his third straight defeat by knockout. Liddell, once revered as the most feared fighter in MMA, made a good start to the fight in Vancouver, catching Franklin with a few early shots, but quickly capitulated as his opponent directed several accurate punches towards his head.

The 40-year-old, who began his professional fighting career in 1998, had to go to hospital after the fight and White believes the nature of Liddell's latest defeat suggests that he is no longer worthy of a place in UFC.

"I'll be the first one to say he does not have the same chin he used to," White said. "You get to a point in your career and the chin just goes. I've been around fighters my whole life and you could have hit Chuck in the face with a pole at one time and it wouldn't have knocked him out. He had an incredible chin.

"We all turn 40 and we all get old. Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player in the world. It happens to everybody.

"He wanted this and he gave it his best shot. He went out like Chuck Liddell would. He was blasting and throwing bombs and he gave the fans a last, good fight with the Iceman."

Liddell is yet to make a formal announcement regarding his future.

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