Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz — Fight recap

Chuck Liddell defeated Tito Ortiz by TKO in round three at 3:59, with referee Mario Yamasaki stopping the action on December 30, 2006. Liddell controlled the striking exchanges throughout, landing 49 significant strikes at 37% accuracy compared to Ortiz's 21 of 76 at 27%, and secured a knockdown in the final round.

Ortiz attempted to impose his wrestling, landing one takedown from eight attempts, but Liddell's superior striking volume and accuracy dictated the fight's tempo. The light heavyweight champion maintained dominant control time of 1:13 to Ortiz's 0:19, keeping the challenger at range and systematically breaking him down with head strikes—40 landed from 123 attempts.

Liddell's striking precision and ability to nullify Ortiz's wrestling cemented his position atop the division and extended his reign over a rival who had previously pushed him to the limit.