UFC 102: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Beats Randy Couture in a Classic

Posted Aug 30, 2009 12:36AM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: UFC

In a battle of MMA legends that turned out to be one of the all-time classic fights, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defeated Randy Couture Saturday night at UFC 102.

More: UFC 102 Results | UFC 102 Photos | UFC 102 Coverage

The first round was an epic, with a little bit of everything. Couture pushed the pace early and appeared to have a superior stand-up game. But Nogueira recovered, landed a hard right hand that knocked Couture down, and then appeared close to submitting Couture on the ground. Couture somehow pulled free from Nogueira's D'Arce choke and got back to his feet, and then they battered each other in the stand-up game some more. It was everything fans could have hoped for in a first round, and more.

The second round was also outstanding. Couture and Nogueira went to the ground, and Couture made the mistake of going down into Nogueira's guard. That gave Nogueira the advantage for most of the round, but Couture somehow got out of it and managed to get back to his feet to survive into the third.

But in the third, Nogueira showed once again that he was the superior fighter. He got the better of Couture on the ground, and left Couture bloodied and bruised. It was a brilliant battle that Nogueira won 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 on the judges' cards.

"He's a true champion of the UFC," Nogueira said of Couture afterward. "He's one of my idols in the UFC."

Nogueira, who improved his record to 32-5-1, showed that he deserves to be a major player in the UFC heavyweight division. He could be just one win away from another shot at the UFC heavyweight title.

Couture, who falls to 16-10, is now 46 years old and hasn't won a fight in more than two years, and yet with his performance Saturday night, he proved that he, too, is still a significant part of the UFC's heavyweight division. As crazy as it sounds to say about a 46-year-old, Couture could have several more good fights left in him. He said afterward that he thinks he does.

"I was disappointed to lose, but you've got to love this sport," Couture said. "I'm here, I'm ready to fight. I feel the best I've ever felt."

For full UFC 102 coverage, also check our UFC Twitter updates, and full UFC 102 results.

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Instant Classic Ends UFC 102

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Antonio Nogueira (L) battles UFC fighter Randy Couture (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Antonio Nogueira;Randy Couture

Getty Images

Getty Images North America

UFC 102 Photos

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Randy Couture (Bottom) battles UFC fighter Antonio Nogueira (Top) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Randy Couture;Antonio Nogueira

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Chris Leben (L) battles UFC fighter Jake Rosholt (R) during their Middleweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Chris Leben;Jake Rosholt

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Nate Marquardt (L) knocks out UFC fighter Demian Maia (R) during their Middleweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nate Marquardt;Demian Maia

Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Nate Marquardt (L) battles UFC fighter Demian Maia (R) during their Middleweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nate Marquardt;Demian Maia

Getty Images

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-30-2009 @ 12:33AM

Ted said...

Two legends; enough said!

8-30-2009 @ 12:37AM

Tania said...

Wish I coulda seen it. When I first heard about this classic, I knew it would be an event for the ages....congrats Noguiera, and Keep on swingin' Couture !!

8-30-2009 @ 12:48AM

johnnynumber5 said...

Say what you will about these guys but that was one of the best fights in UFC history. That was two legends in the sport who left it all in the cage and it was a fantastic fight. Hopefully Lesnar was taking notes about how to act like a professional.

I guess this fight pretty much does prove that Big Nog's poor performance against Mir was at least partly to do with his staff infection.

I'm not sure if Noguiera would beat Lesnar or not. But, I know that he looked really impressive tonight and probably deserves the winner of the Lesnar vs Carwin title fight later this year.

It was an explosive night of fights with a lot of compelling fights. I know I like to give the UFC flack for putting on a lot of poor cards with one compelling fight. But, I'm willing to give them credit and say that they put on a quality show and a fantastic main event.

Lot's of explosive finshes (Rosholt, Silva & Marquardt) and epic battles. I give this card and tonight a very solid 8.5/10.

WAR - Couture & Noguiera being legends in the sport and class acts in victory and defeat. WAR a BJJ practitioner showing that it's not an inferior style to wrestling.

Couture & Noguiera was easily the best fight of the year up to this point.

8-30-2009 @ 12:50AM

Question:

Where does Couture go from here in his last UFC fight?

I know what I would like to see before he gracefully bows out of the Octagon - Couture vs The Spider Silva @ LHW. I also wouldn't mind seeing Couture and The Iceman duke it out one last time.

8-30-2009 @ 12:58AM

imshortyk said...

Hey, he says he still has some fights in him. If he can sign with the UFC, I'm sure Dana will comply. As far as a Liddell/Couture 4, that wouldn't be a contest in my opinion. Liddell's just had a falling out, he hasn't aged as gracefully as Couture. Or, maybe he simply needs to gameplan like Couture does, because he does the same thing every fight and it's caught up to him.

8-30-2009 @ 1:45AM

Actually in the post fight press conference Couture said he signed a 28 month 6 fight extension with the UFC. Dana White said COuture can fight at LHW or HW and it's really up to Couture to decide.

8-30-2009 @ 2:04AM

Thanks "Johnny" on your Duffee input. No doubt the guy can throw the hands. I am just wandering if he can keep a guy his size from shuting and taking him down. I guess for now he is a bit of a mystery.

8-30-2009 @ 12:54AM

wackenpuss said...

Randy on the Juice Couture against beat up old Nogueira . The UFC like all the MAA clown organizations continues to use washed up retreads when they don't have a novelty act (Brock Lesnor , Kimbo Slice , Gina Cheesecake etc..) to headline the MMA circus that try's to pass itself off as a legitimate professional sport.

8-30-2009 @ 1:01AM

Do you have someone in boxing that you would like to put up against these MMA experts? You are cluless; go watch fat ass George Formen LOL...

8-30-2009 @ 12:56AM

kwilbur10 said...

Don't get me wrong this fight was entertaining but, clearly big nog won. I don't see how this is a classic. The only round that was back and forth was the first round. After that it was all nog. I also can't believe that a judge scored the fight 29-28. That is BS, nog won all rounds. I understand that u may not agree but from everyone that watched it with me saw the same thing but hey we all have diff PoV

8-30-2009 @ 1:48AM

I could see giving Couture the second round. The reason it's a classic is because the whole fight was back and forth and Noguiera, the best heavyweight submission guy in mma history, couldn't finish Couture on two different submission attempts. Even through the whole thing both guys were giving it everything they had. This is one of the best fights in UFC history. Instant Classic.

8-30-2009 @ 1:06AM

The point is not whether Nog won 30-27 or 29-28. The fight went the distance and Randy escaped submissions that no other fight ever has from the great Nog. This fight should have happened 5 - 10 years ago. I believe Nog would still win but my hat is off to Randy.

8-30-2009 @ 1:20AM

I have never seen Todd Duffee fight before. Can anyone with real knowledge tell me if he has a ground game; Wrestling or Jiu-jitsu?

8-30-2009 @ 1:55AM

Ted,

MMA Fanhouse did an interview with him a week or so ago ... I'm not sure about his background

http://mma.fanhouse.com/2009/08/24/heavyweight-prospect-todd-duffee-excited-for-ufc-debut/

His wikipedia page doesn't have much information, either. But, he looked freaking massive when I saw him in the cage tonight.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Duffee

I'm not sure about his background but Sherdog has his affiliation with American Top Team who is one of the best MMA gyms in the world. I'm sure he is just well rounded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Top_Team

All we know about Duffee is he has HEAVY hands as all 5 of his wins have come by KO or TKO and only one of those fights went past the first round.

8-30-2009 @ 1:56AM

(wouldn't let me post 4 links in one comment for some reason)

All we know about Duffee is he has HEAVY hands as all 5 of his wins have come by KO or TKO and only one of those fights went past the first round.

http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Todd-Duffee-22903

8-30-2009 @ 3:43AM

neozoo said...

hey johnny,
wow! i'm actually really impressed with your objective view of tonights card.
i thought tonights card was really good and you basically explained why.
as far as randy, i'm a little ambiguous to his future....he didn't get his ass handed to him and he did show a good accounting of himself. but, he also lost a unanimous decision. i personally think he should retire.
todd mcduffie? like i said before he looks the part...but what can one truly ascertain from a 6.5 second knockout. obviously we will keep an eye on him.

over the past couple days, i've been ranting on and on against m-1 and my dislike for them.
basically, against their claims of being a credible world class organization.
and with my wishes that fedor wasn't aligned with them. regardless of whether he was with ufc or not.
with that being said and after watching the joe rogan on fedor montage, i just don't see how anyone can come close to beating him, whether they are in sf or ufc.
actually, this may sound stupid, but, the only person i see with a shot against him is possibly arlovski. i know, i know, i know it sounds stupid.
fedor is going to absolutely destroy rogers and anyone else sf can dig up. and there is no way brock would be able to hold him down.
as ric flair says, "to be the man, you gotta beat the man!" and until that happens, fedor is the man.

i don't really know that this is the appropriate place to talk about this, it's just been on my mind.

8-30-2009 @ 12:49PM

Do you have a link to this Joe Rogan on Fedor montage? I've never seen that before.

8-30-2009 @ 2:57PM

actually,
i found the site from richardbickle
it's mma-core.com
somewhere in there you may have to search around a bit, it's actually a youtube video and i think the guy that posted it is, halo666 for whatever that's worth... i'm not very good at this stuff.
it's about a 10min vid starts off with rogan talking about how awesome fedor is then goes into some highlights of his fights with really cool music in the background.
let me know if you find it and what you think.