This past Thursday, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya told ESPN that he has signed the two former UFC light heavyweight champions for a pay-per-view bout later this year.
“I’m proud to announce we’ve signed a deal for the fight between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz,” De La Hoya told ESPN, via a statement. “This will be huge for sports fans around the world. Ortiz and Liddell are two of the most recognized fighters in MMA history. They are legends in the sport.
”Everyone remembers their rivalry helped put the sport on the map, and we’re excited to host the next and final chapter of this historic rivalry.”
The two MMA legends first fought at UFC 47 in April 2004. “The Iceman” won the first encounter with a second-round via KO. A rematch would take place at UFC 66, with Liddell carrying the UFC light heavyweight championship. Liddell proved to be the better fighter once again by finishing Ortiz with strikes in round three.
Liddell retired in 2010 after suffering five losses in his last six fights.
Ortiz retired in 2012 after losing a rubber match to Forrest Griffin, but he returned in May 2014 to compete for Bellator MMA. He won three of four fights for the promotion. After the Sonnen fight, Ortiz again announced his retirement, but he will step into the cage once again looking to finally defeat Liddell.