The Iceman cometh, or at least, he could be interested in it if the money is right.

Over the past few months, rumors have been circulating about a return to the cage for former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. For his part, Liddell has denied any plans for a comeback but he’s also left the door open saying he could be persuaded out of retirement if the money was right. Well apparently Liddell has been keeping in shape in case that call comes.

Speaking recently with MMA Tonight, Liddell said that a comeback was possible and that he’s physically in good enough shape to go should the appropriate opportunity present itself.

“I’ve thought about it but everyone’s gonna have to keep wondering. I’m not sure yet, so we’ll see. . .

“I’m healthy. It would probably take more than [a month] to set it up, but I’m not sure yet. We’ll see. I mean, it depends on what gets offered. If someone offers me something crazy, I could fight tomorrow, but it just depends.”

According to one man, something crazy has been offered. Though Liddell is the one who gave birth to rumors of a comeback in June when he teased a possible trilogy fight with Tito Ortiz on Instagram, Bellator moneyweight competitor Chael Sonnen quickly inserted himself as the frontrunner for a Liddell comeback fight. Sonnen even argued that Liddell has been offered a fight with him on multiple occasions but turned it down. On MMA Tonight, Liddell disputed these claims and chalked it up to Sonnen’s devil-may-care attitude with the truth.

“That’s not true. I’ve never been offered a fight and I definitely never been offered to fight him. He doesn’t worry about the truth too much with his trash-talking. He’s not afraid to be liberal with his facts.”

Sonnen couldn’t be fighting Liddell anyway as he is now part of the Bellator heavyweight grand prix taking place next year with a scheduled bout against Liddell slayer, Quinton Jackson. Liddell denied any interest in joining that tournament (which released its bracket and matchups yesterday) but did throw out one possible scenario that could get him back in the cage: the $15 million dollars that Nate Diaz reportedly wants to fight Tyron Woodley at UFC 219.

“For $15 million I’ll get in there and fight them both!”

Liddell was the UFC light heavyweight champion from 2005-2007, racking up four successful title defenses in that time. He last fought at UFC 115 in June of 2010, a knockout loss to Rich Franklin.

MUST-READ STORIES

Results. A major upset happened in the semifinals of The Ultimate Fighter 26.

$$$. Nate Diaz’s coach says he should get $15M for next fight, won’t fight at UFC 219.

Tournament. Bellator released the brackets for their 2018 heavyweight grand prix.

USADA. Holly Holm says Cris Cyborg needs to “stop whining” about drug testing.

Retire. B.J. Penn says he doesn’t “feel the fire to compete” again but won’t rule it out.

VIDEO STEW

Mirko with great words about Stipe.

Frankie talking about his broken face.

Cyborg sparring with Mia St. John.

Couple of Dillashaw interviews.

Woodley remix.

LISTEN UP

Fights Gone By. Recapping UFC Sydney and looking at UFC Shanghai.

Heavy Hands. Previewing UFC Shanghai and the impending doom of Bisping.

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

The tournament.

Just announced on @SportsCenter: The Heavyweight World Grand Prix bracket is set and kicks off Jan 20th in LA with @ChaelSonnen vs @Rampage4real!! pic.twitter.com/jEB9pPg4wD — Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 23, 2017

Picking a fight.

The only way to climb to the top of the mountain is to keep going up. Thank you for all of the votes. The fans have spoken. @Thebeast_ufc you free end of February/March? @ufc pic.twitter.com/2qhN97eC8R — Curtis Blaydes (@RazorBlaydes265) November 22, 2017

No mercy.

Since ryan missed weight maybe he should meet me at 135 and we settle this — Suman Mokhtarian (@Suman_att) November 21, 2017

settled my business in the cage. I respect your brother as he is a warrior but have ZERO respect for you. Disgusting the things you and your crew were saying to my wife backstage. If for some reason they let trash like u in the #ufc , I’d be glad to leave u napping on the mat2 https://t.co/2oiQZiEIna — Ryan Benoit (@BabyfaceBenoit) November 23, 2017

And Brown voicing his own displeasure about a similar issue.

you know people who miss weight won’t move up unless forced to. It’s a shame mate because the advantages of missing are massive and the penalties are minimal — Damien Brown (@beatdown155) November 21, 2017

Starting this train back up.

To be clear I was offered to fight @TonyFergusonXT on December 30th and I accepted the fight but my focus is barboza. @danawhite @ufc — khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) November 22, 2017

Champ you doing the same thing The Irish chicken doing Heidi also signed the contract @TeamKhabib https://t.co/eJd3sZgVpM — Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) November 22, 2017

Riding for his boy.

Your daily Colby update.

So let me get this straight #TwoFaceTyrone. ME being 8-1 in the @ufc and ranked #3 in the world isn't good enough for a title shot... But YOU being 5-2 in the UFC, ranked #4 in the world on a 2 fight win streak and 540+ day lay off made YOU worthy of a title shot... .@TWooodley pic.twitter.com/ghU9hAQnWk — Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) November 23, 2017

Swing and a miss.

The man has a point.

What a joke https://t.co/EqxB8OPbNy — James Vick (@JamesVickMMA) November 23, 2017

What a killer shirt.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Dave Rickels (18-4) vs. Adam Piccolotti (9-1); Bellator 189, Dec. 1.

Deiveson Figueiredo (13-0) vs. Joseph Morales (9-0); UFC Belem, Feb. 3.

Matt Mitrione (12-5) vs. Roy Nelson (23-14); Bellator 194, Feb. 16.

Fedor Emelianenko (36-5, 1 NC) vs. Frank Mir (18-11); Bellator, March.

Ryan Bader (24-5) vs. Muhammed Lawal (21-6); Bellator, May.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Happy Thanksgiving to all the American readers out there. I hope you enjoy the meals and family time or whatever holiday traditions you keep to. And for everyone else, happy Thursday. Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

EXIT POLL

Poll What’s the best Thanksgiving food? This poll is closed. 27% Turkey (257 votes)

15% Mashed Potatoes (145 votes)

25% Stuffing (237 votes)

6% Yams/Sweet Potatoes (61 votes)

11% Pie (110 votes)

13% Other (128 votes) 938 votes total Vote Now

If you find something you'd like to see in the Morning Report, hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.