The Most Influential UFC Fights II (of V)

“Best” is subjective. Influential? Not so much. All this week on ESPN.com and Sherdog.com, we’re examining the fights that made a difference in how fans and fighters view the UFC’s Octagon.

Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz (UFC 47, April 2, 2004)

Still a year away from finding the attention of a cable-surfing audience, the UFC was brutally short on true superstars: Tito Ortiz, mired in contract disputes, had just been spanked -- literally -- by Randy Couture, and there was no telling when the 40-something champion’s next fight would be his last. Georges St. Pierre had just debuted in the promotion; Ken Shamrock was running on fumes of fumes.

Liddell had just returned from a bad run of performances, having lost to Couture the year prior and come up short in a Pride elimination tournament in Japan. This is not the definition of career momentum. What he had was a feud with Ortiz, whom he had accused of avoiding him.

If true, Ortiz was playing it smart: He had nothing for Liddell, couldn’t complete a successful shot and crumbled in a heap when the striker finally found his comfort zone. It was the beginning of a legendary tear that sent Liddell on a three-year run as the promotion’s most recognizable and marketable attraction just as the brand itself was ready for some mainstream apologies.

The Winner: Liddell via TKO.

The Lesson: Opportunities mean nothing without stars: Liddell’s was the perfect style at the perfect time.