WATCH: Chuck Liddell v. Tito Ortiz I

It is considered a rivalry that helped make the UFC and MMA as a whole mainstream. While the third fight between the two puts a sour taste in everyone’s mind, the first two bouts were instant classics. It also happens to be the anniversary of the first bout (April 2).

Check out the first fight between former friends Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz from 2004. Inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC 47, both light heavyweights were ready to put on a show. Their friendship over, Liddell (21-9) and Ortiz (21-12-1) made the pre-fight hype for the fight extremely worth it.

Both men were scouting one another in the first round, and in the last minute Liddell hit a few shots and a leg kick that staggered Ortiz. Ortiz believed Liddell hit him in the eye, and was mad enough he shoved the referee. The second round saw Liddell find an opening and just smash away at Ortiz. 0:38 into round two, Liddell won via KO.