Liddell Retains Title With TKO of Ortiz

Jardine Quickly Dispatches Griffin

LAS VEGAS, Dec.30 -- Chuck Liddell's fists stand as the two most feared weapons in the UFC, and in his sternest test of recent memory, he reminded his relentless challenger exactly why that was.

Liddell put away Tito Ortiz via third-round technical knockout last night at UFC 66 to retain his light heavyweight title in front of a capacity crowd at the MGM Grand Arena. Liddell (20-3) punctuated the fight with the sort of finality that has marked his title reign over nearly the past two years. He planted Ortiz to the canvas with a left hand and followed up with a barrage of punches while his opponent lay on the ground desperately trying to cover up. Finally, referee Mario Yamasaki stepped in to stop the fight 3 minutes 39 seconds into the round.

Billed as the biggest fight in UFC history -- pitting the organization's two most popular fighters against each other -- it was one of those rare megabouts that lived up to its hype: the champion further cementing his legacy, and the former champion showing just why he deserved another shot at the title.

Early on there were striking similarities to their first meeting in April of 2004, when Liddell handed Ortiz the only knockout loss of his career. Liddell opened up a gash by Ortiz's eye late in the first round and then sent him tumbling to the canvas with a left hook. Liddell moved in for the kill, swiftly raining down punches on Ortiz's head as a victory seemed imminent.

But unlike Lidell's six previous opponents, each of whom fell victim to knockout under similar circumstances, Ortiz somehow regained his composure and warded off Liddell with his legs until the bell sounded.

"Chuck's the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, I've got to give it to him," Ortiz said. "I fought my 'A' game. That's the best I could have fought."

Earlier in the night, Keith Jardine earned an impressive first-round TKO over Forrest Griffin, a victory that should put him squarely in the light heavyweight title picture.

Not surprisingly, the two heavy-handed fighters elected to stand up for much of the first round and trade blows with each other until Jardine (12-2-1) landed a right uppercut and a swooping left hook that momentarily dazed Griffin.

Sensing his opponent's vulnerability, Jardine sent Griffin (16-4) to the canvas with another brutal punch combination. Once on the ground, Jardine pounded away, unanswered with his right hand and referee John McCarthy stopped the fight at 4:41 into the round.

On the undercard, light heavyweight Michael Bisping scored a first-round TKO over Eric Schafer; former heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski submitted Marcio Cruz in the first round; and Jason MacDonald won via second-round submission over Chris Leben.