5 longest UFC light heavyweight title reigns

#4. Chuck Liddell - UFC light heavyweight champion (2005 - 2007)

During his reign as light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell became a household name for the UFC. He defended the title four times during his 770-day reign and had a massive impact on the promotion’s revenue.

Liddell was must-see TV during his prime as the light heavyweight champion. His exciting fighting style and spectacular finishes made him the most popular fighter in the promotion. He defeated Renato Sobral and Tito Ortiz during his impressive reign and avenged losses to Jeremy Horn and Randy Couture.

‘The Iceman’s' rematch with ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ was one of the promotion’s most purchased pay-per-view events at the time. The event generated 929,000 buys and saw him retain by third-round TKO.

His title reign ended on May 26, 2007, when Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson knocked him out. It was a sign of things to come for ‘The Iceman’ as he went 1-4 in his next five bouts.

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#3. Tito Ortiz – UFC light heavyweight champion (2000 - 2003)

Tito Ortiz’s reign as UFC light heavyweight champion solidified him as one of the most successful champions in the promotion’s history. He won the vacant light heavyweight championship after defeating Wanderlei Silva by unanimous decision at Ultimate Japan 3. The reign lasted 1260 days and is one of the promotion’s longest title reigns.

‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ was a difficult fighter to beat during his prime in the sport. He had a wrestling background and was very durable, which made it tough for an opponent to finish him. Ortiz retained his title on five occasions from 2000 to 2002. His wins included Vladimir Matyushenko, former middleweight champion Evan Tanner, and Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock.

His title reign ended on June 3, 2003, when he lost to two-time heavyweight champion Randy Couture. It was an interesting time in the promotion’s history as Ortiz later reignited his rivalries with Liddell and Shamrock.