Ealier today, Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio announced his return to the cage against Randy Hedderick on June 27 at Ultimate Chaos, presented by Prize Fight MMA and Fight Force International live on pay-per-view. During the press conference, held in Biloxi, Mississippi, Atencio took the opportunity to take a shot UFC President Dana White, stating, "If you're going to act a certain way you need to back it up. I try to be in my fighter's corner, but obviously I have to be in the business corner as well. But some things that's been done in the UFC, I don't think it's right. I think it's time to step up. Sometimes Dana White acts like a fighter, so why doesn't he fight?"
Atencio took it a step further as he questioned White's genuineness to participate in a boxing match with former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz, a bout that was ultimately cancelled due to Ortiz not showing up for a scheduled weigh-in. "I don't ever think a fight between him and Tito Ortiz was ever going to happen. Dana acts like an 800-pound Gorilla, but he's not. He acts and talks like a fighter, but he's not. If we're being honest, he's a bully," he continued.
Atencio will be stepping into the cage for the first time in four years when he won a unanimous decision over David Martinez. Win, lose or draw, Atencio feels as though it is a victory in itself just to compete. "I'm getting in there for the second time and at least I can't say I've never done it. Whether I win or lose, I at least attempted it and I have a lot of respect for these fighters for stepping inside of that cage or ring!"
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]