Liddell's coach disagrees with decision to return, but open to cornering

John Hackleman, the longtime head coach of Chuck Liddell, was as shocked as the rest of the MMA world when he heard his pupil wanted to return to the cage after an eight-year layoff.

Hackleman told Ariel Helwani on "The MMA Hour" that Liddell didn't tell him ahead of time before announcing his intention to come back because "The Iceman" knew he wouldn't be in favor of it.

"He's been throwing it out there, but he knows how I feel about it so we don't talk about it. It's kind of a taboo subject for us," said Hackleman. "I don't like it at all. I mean, I don't like any of my fighters to fight. I wish they were all just training in my gym and we're having fun...

"I don't want him to fight anymore, but with that said, if he does and he really has to do it in his heart, then I'm behind him 100 percent."

Hackleman added he would be open to cornering the former UFC champion in a return bout despite his personal feelings.

Liddell announced a week ago he hopes to come back for a trilogy bout against Tito Ortiz, possibly with Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions next fall. The 48-year-old last fought in 2010, losing via a brutal knockout against Rich Franklin, and dropped five of his last six bouts.