Amid a flood of text messages from friends and family, Liddell spoke Wednesday about his experiences by telephone from Los Angeles, where he had been learning to dance since August. He survived into the fourth week of the show. But after he performed a two-step dance with partner Anna Trebunskaya on Monday night, the judges gave Liddell a low score of 17 out of 30 points. He was eliminated on Tuesday's show.

"I'm not complaining about my scores," he said, acknowledging he lacked technical skills. "But them ragging on my two-step — and in the same manner Louie's two-step — none of them know how to judge a two-step. They don't do the two-step."

Liddell will begin shooting his film next month. While his role will be small, Rourke's recent Academy Award nomination will give the film clout.

No word yet on whether Liddell will officially retire from fighting.

"I'm taking a little more time," he said.