Man v Kzin

From Wikipedia: Known Space

Kzinti: large and very aggressive feline aliens with whom humans fight several brutal interstellar wars. Kzinti tactics are somewhat cat-like in nature, 'Scream and leap' being the primary mode of attack. The first Man-Kzin war ended when the humans obtained the Faster-Than-Light drive, the Kzinti ships stood no chance against FTL-drive warships. Throughout the rest of the wars with man, the Kzinti tended to always attack before they were ready, and subsequently lost each and every one of them. As a result of this most of their empire was lost; in the peace treaties colonies and slave planets were ceded to man or given independence.

Or, from the Kzinti point of view .... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONz9LHTMJp8