Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell were two of the most dominant champions in UFC history.
Both competitors found success throughout their respective reigns as champion in the light heavyweight division which would establish their legacies.
While Liddell has since retired from mixed martial arts and Ortiz is on the downside of his career, it is appropriate that a fair assessment be made of both fighters’ title reigns in order to determine the greatest UFC light heavyweight champion.
When Ortiz made his debut for the UFC in 1997, he was the most successful fighter at the time. Compiling a professional record of 4-1, Ortiz challenged for the light heavyweight title and became the 205-pound titleholder just three years later.
Ortiz would go on to successfully defend the title five times against competitors such as Yuki Kondo, Elvis Sinosic, Evan Tanner, Vladimir Matuyshenko and Ken Shamrock. Ortiz’s three-year reign ended when he was defeated by Randy Couture in 2003.
Throughout most of Ortiz’s dominance, MMA wasn’t on pay-per-view that often and was in the “dark ages.” However, Chuck Liddell was the one fighter who resurrected the sport and changed the landscape of the UFC, helping the company achievie mainstream coverage in 2005.
Liddell went on a tear during his tenure, going on a seven-fight win streak before capturing the light heavyweight crown in 2005. Liddell went on to defeat competitors like Randy Couture, Jeremy Horn, Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Tito Ortiz; he remained champion for nearly two years.
Eventually, Liddell lost the title to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in 2007.
While Ortiz might have had a longer reign as champion, it is hard to argue against the dominance Liddell had throughout his title run. Both competitors fought in different eras, but ultimately, Liddell’s opposition was superior to Ortiz’s competition.
Coincidentally, Ortiz lost to Liddell on two occasions; the latter came during one of Liddell’s title defenses.
It also didn’t help “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” during his championship reign to refuse to fight Liddell, who was in title contention at the time. And because Ortiz continuously dodged Liddell, who was renowned for his willingness to fight anyone, he ultimately tarnished his reputation and credibility as champion.
When both competitors finally did meet, it was evident that Ortiz never had the style to beat “The Iceman.”
Although Ortiz’s championship reign will go down as one of the most successful title reigns in UFC history, Liddell defeated better opposition and held a better resume and, therefore, is considered the greatest UFC light heavyweight champion.
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