Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis traded blows on immigration, taxes and defending Ukraine in a bruising primetime debate on CNN on Wednesday night.
With just the two Republicans on stage, the personal attacks flew thick and fast.
The Florida governor dubbed Ms Haley a “mealy-mouthed politician” and a “carbon copy” of Joe Biden.
The former South Carolina governor in turn described her on-stage opponent as “desperate” and repeatedly directed the audience to a website dedicated to Mr DeSantis’ “lies”.
But it was Donald Trump, who had the stage all to himself over on the more valuable platform, the conservative-favourite Fox News, that was able to claim ultimate victory over the night.