On the Eve of UFC 143, We Take a Look Back at UFC 43

The interim title bout between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit is almost here. If we look back into the past, one hundred PPV’s ago, we see another interim title bout between two other fighters with contrasting styles.

At UFC 43, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture fought for the interim Light Heavyweight title, while reigning champion Tito Ortiz sat on the sidelines on his own accord.

It was a great night of fights that saw Vitor Belfort stop Marvin Eastman, Vernon White and Ian Freeman battle to a draw, Kimo submit Tank Abbott via arm triangle, and many others.

But it was the fight between Liddell and Couture that changed the division.

Liddell was long perceived to be the true king of the division, and with the interim title on the line, most thought that once Liddell defeated Couture, it would force Ortiz into action.

Things didn’t turn out the way we all expected.

Couture repeatedly beat Liddell to the punch, sticking him with straight punches and disrupting his balance.

They fought a great deal of the fight on their feet, and Couture surprised everyone by getting the better of the exchanges.

But the end came when Couture got a huge takedown in the third round. He mounted Liddell and rained down punches until the fight was called.

Now, one hundred numbered shows later, and another interim title on the line, will history repeat itself?

Will the man with the better wrestling (Condit) overwhelm the man with the better striking (Diaz)? Or will it be like the second and third bouts between Liddell and Couture that saw Liddell knock out “The Natural” both times?

One thing that Liddell had over Diaz is a much better takedown defense. On the other hand, Diaz is far better at submissions and fighting off his back than Liddell was.

Either way, it will be interesting to see if history repeats itself once more.