Randy Couture is back in the UFC.On a conference call today, UFC President Dana White announced that Couture will return to the organization that he spurned last year, and the UFC will welcome one of its best and most popular fighters back into the Octagon. White referred to Couture as "the heavyweight champion of the UFC," and he confirmed that Couture will defend his title against Brock Lesnar in a five-round title fight on November 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Couture announced his resignation from UFC last year and expressed frustration at the time at both his compensation and the UFC's failure to sign Fedor Emelianenko, the sport's top heavyweight and the opponent who would give Couture the greatest challenge of his career. As recently as March, Couture was saying he'd fight Fedor this fall and not in the UFC, but things have changed.
"He's made it very clear how bad he wants to fight Fedor, and we're going to do everything in our power to make a Fedor fight happen, but we're not going to mess with anyone's contract. He's under contract now with another promotion," White said. "If he becomes available, we would love to make the Fedor fight."
For now, Couture will fight Lesnar in one of the biggest fights in UFC history.
More UFC news at FanHouse:
Randy Couture a Slight Favorite Over Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar: 'Who Gives a S--- About Fedor Emelianenko? I'm Sick of Hearing About Fedor'
Randy Couture at 225 Thinks He Can Beat Brock Lesnar at 265-Plus
Dana White: I Will Be F---ing Horrified If Affliction Is Still in Business in January
Randy Couture-Brock Lesnar Winner Will Fight Frank Mir-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Winner
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-02-2008 @ 5:53PM
Mark said...
I am shocked that this fight will be a 'title-fight", I honestly dont think that Brock deserves a title shot yet...what happens to Mir and Nog? Looks like the UFC is making a mess of the heavyweight division ranking just like they have let happen in the light heavyweight division. Overall it will be entertaining, but I really hope Randy kicks him down a notch.
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9-02-2008 @ 5:05PM
Colonial said...
Oh God, for the good of the sport PLEASE let Couture KO him in 1 round.
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9-02-2008 @ 5:20PM
hazz said...
sorry colonial but i think brocks gonna smoke him out in 2 rounds
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9-02-2008 @ 9:08PM
Michael Espinosa said...
Randy is back in the UFC hmm well Brock why did you even take this fight ? Must say you have ball's Randy will get him in the 2nd round unless Brock run's for 5 rounds.
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9-02-2008 @ 5:27PM
daimeon said...
Hazz.......you need to dig the s**t out of your head and stop watching reruns of WWF. Brock Lesner doesnt even deserve a title shot, it's all for publicity now!
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9-02-2008 @ 5:35PM
Watson said...
Rusty Randy will get his rear handed to him by Brock! Imagine that. What's next, Kimbo fighting a washed up fighter with a big name??
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9-02-2008 @ 5:36PM
Bill said...
Yeah, why Lesnar? Last time I saw that clown he was tapping on Mir's ass so he wouldn't break his ankle. Fedor could club bot Kotex and Lose-ner at the same time.
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9-02-2008 @ 5:42PM
Eirik said...
Quote:
"hazz said...
sorry colonial but i think brocks gonna smoke him out in 2 rounds"
Do you even follow MMA? I must admit that Lesnar looked good against Herring, but he was easily submitted my MIr the fight before. Randy is one of the best fighters in the history of MMA, & Lesnar is just not ready for a fighter of that caliber. If he beats Randy I will never step foot in the gym, or watch another MMA promotion for as long as I live...
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9-02-2008 @ 5:46PM
ws said...
Brock Lesnar is a disgrace to the UFC. I hope that Randy can show him a thing or two about good sportsmanship. I think Brock will never be able to live up to the high class of sportsmanship that the UFC has always had.
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9-03-2008 @ 12:21AM
David said...
yea,what a class act, does the nams Tito ring any bells dumbass.
9-02-2008 @ 5:55PM
djp said...
cotoure is goona get his ass kicked...lol
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9-02-2008 @ 9:37PM
BOB said...
I will say Brock (Roid Boy) looked much better in his last fight but really in no way deserves a chance to fight Randy. This is purely about money and adding viewers which isn't a bad move for the sport.
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9-02-2008 @ 7:46PM
ian said...
just an excuse not to fight Fedor
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9-02-2008 @ 8:08PM
ray said...
Oh my. While Lesnar looked alot better against Herring, he still isn't the caliber of an MMA fighter as Couture. He's big and strong as hell, but experience will prevail. I say Randy submits him in 2.
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9-02-2008 @ 10:07PM
Timewalker said...
I guess ego's keep the great ones like Randy and the rest going back until there embarrassed. I had hoped to see him retire the UFC legend he is w/o a 2 nd come back or any loss to a much younger guy like others have in similar fashion. I hope Randy win's, but I see a round 1 embarrassment at 1 10 in if he can't avoid his out of the gate burst. Exploiting Brock's left.kidney, right knee, and index finger of right hand which are prone to recurring injury might assist to wear him out in later rounds, unless of course you can get thru that thck mastadonic head early.
Good luck, Randy
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9-02-2008 @ 10:19PM
bobby said...
broke will smoke him in 1 round
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9-02-2008 @ 10:22PM
sheesh said...
yep it's all for the all mighty dollar , sheesh whats wrong with Randy fighting Fedor that would be a way better fight and money draw anyways. It's beginning to look like the freakin WWE.
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9-02-2008 @ 10:29PM
Damion said...
Brock is going to embarrass this old timer...Brock is no Gabriel Gonzaga he's the future of the UFC and MMA... Brock will be the one getting a shot at Emelinko... and then Cotoure can have the scraps.
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9-02-2008 @ 11:06PM
TJ said...
Lesnars gonna destroy him hes younger bigger stronger Randy is alot more experienced but hes old and rusty lesnar can also brawl like a bull this is goin to be a amazing fight but i also wouldnt be surprised if randy wins but if i had to bet money on it defintly on lesnar.
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9-03-2008 @ 12:54AM
finestdj said...
Randy should be fighting Noguiera immediately...
C.Kongo should be fighting F. Mir....
With the winners meeting...
Where the hell Brock come from...
He hasn't paid his dues yet...
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