With Couture-Vera on at UFC 105, Henderson-Marquardt Now Off

The UFC has decided to book Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera as the main event for UFC 105, and FanHouse has learned that one of the organization's original choices for that spot -- Dan Henderson vs. Nate Marquardt -- won't be taking place at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England, after all.

Late last week, Henderson, a free agent, told FanHouse that he was hoping to get a raise before agreeing to fight Marquardt or anyone else.

"I'm holding firm for what I think I deserve," Henderson said. "I think I've earned that."

As of Sunday night, Henderson had yet to sign a new contract with the UFC.

The Couture-Vera fight will be contest at 205 pounds. It will mark the first time since his UFC 57 loss to Chuck Liddell in February 2006 that Couture (16-10) will compete as a light heavyweight. Couture, a two-time light heavyweight champion, last lost to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 in August.

Vera (11-3) competed on the same card, defeating Krystof Soszynski via unanimous decision. The former heavyweight has won his last two fights in a row. He recently told FanHouse that he still hopes to hold the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles at the same time.

"It will be my goal until it's realized," Vera said. "It's the almost impossible goal. If you can do that you'll go down in history as one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. That's the ultimate goal. That's one of my dreams."

On Nov. 14, Vera will get his best chance to take one step closer to realizing that dream.