VS.

In his tenure as UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell has sent a legend into retirement (Randy Couture), avenged a defeat (Jeremy Horn), and annihilated his number one challenger (Renato Sobral). But when the man standing across the Octagon™ from Liddell is his former training partner and friend Tito Ortiz, all bets are off. When these two 205-pound stalwarts collide on December 30, the New Year's Eve fireworks are going to begin one day early this year. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization proudly announces UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, Dec. 30.

“The fans demanded it, the fighters demanded it, and I'm excited to finally announce the rematch between Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz,” said UFC President Dana White. “A lot has changed since Liddell and Ortiz first fought in 2004, and not only in the Octagon, where both fighters have looked unbeatable in compiling a combined 10-0 record. These are two fighters who went from being MMA standouts to becoming worldwide superstars in the space of two years, and I can't think of any fight anywhere in the world that has more heat behind it than this one. I have no doubt that this will be the most watched UFC pay-per-view of all-time.”

Tickets for UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 (not including applicable services or taxes) are priced at $1,000, $750, $500, $200 and $100 and go on sale Friday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. Tickets are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and by telephone at 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777 (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com, www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 is available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD).

UFC® Fight Club™ [http://www.ufcfightclub.com] members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Tuesday, Oct. 31 and Wednesday, Nov. 1 via the website www.ufc.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Nov. 2, at 10 a.m. PST ending Nov. 3 at 12:00pm. PST. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com. There will be a special auction for Octagon-side floor seats available only through www.ticketmaster.com beginning Friday, Nov. 3 at 12 p.m. PST and ending Monday, Nov. 20 at 4 p.m. PST. In addition, an exclusive New Year’s Eve VIP package including front row seats to the fight and accommodations for the entire weekend’s festivities will be auctioned off on Ticketmaster.com beginning Friday, Nov. 3.

UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 features the championship bout between Liddell and Ortiz, the No. 1 Contender. Liddell, (19-3-0) fighting out of San Luis Obispo, Calif., is a devastating striker with an incredible takedown defense. He is the reigning UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion and has knocked out his last six opponents including Ortiz, Randy Couture (twice), Vernon White, Jeremy Horn and most recently Renato “Babalu” Sobral in August. Liddell is considered by many to be the most recognized mixed martial arts fighter in the world, earning the reputation by delivering incredible knockouts and dominating the UFC light heavyweight division. He has no fears of facing Ortiz a second time, stating that he will fight the Huntington Beach native any time, anywhere and walk away with his title intact.

“I’ll fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me,” said Liddell. “They decided it’s time for a rematch with Ortiz. I’ll knock him out just like I did last time, except this time I’ll probably do it in the first round. It’ll be fun beating him up again.”

Ortiz, (16-4-0) fighting out of Huntington Beach, Calif., is known for his strength and tenacity as a submission fighter. He returned to the UFC last April to take on rising star Forrest Griffin, winning by split decision in one of the best three-round fights ever to take place in the Octagon. Ortiz has made a swift comeback, defeating Griffin and then facing Ken Shamrock in back-to-back fights. He scored a first-round KO over the veteran fighter on both occasions. Ortiz has earned a new attempt to capture the light heavyweight crown, and has stated publicly that he will be new the champion after he faces Liddell.

“I see Liddell putting up a good fight, but at the end of the night, it will be my hand raised in the Octagon,” said Ortiz. “I can’t wait to get my belt back.”

The remaining bouts for UFC 66: LIDDELL vs. ORTIZ 2 will be announced in the near future. All bouts are subject to change.