Top 5 Tito Ortiz UFC Matches

#3 versus Vitor Belfort (UFC 51, February 5, 2005)

Ortiz ground and pounds Belfort

In February 2005, Tito Ortiz was a man under pressure. He had last two consecutive fights to Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell before a less than impressive points win over the inexperienced Patrick Cote at UFC 50.

Ortiz needed a big victory over a significant star to put himself back into Light-Heavyweight Championship contention.

In an incredibly close contest, Ortiz and Belfort exchanged impressive flurries of strikes. However, more of Ortiz's landed than Belfort's. Both men inflicted significant ground and pound damage on the other but it was Ortiz who impressed the most in the final round landing elbow after elbow from the guard.

Ortiz was back. He won a tight split decision and announced his intention to challenge Chuck Liddell once more post-match and talked trash about Ken Shamrock causing both men to angrily confront him in the Octagon in chaotic scenes. This match was classic Tito.