Couture vs. Nogueira at UFC 102
The Main Event Features a Battle of Two Heavyweight Veterans
A match up that was rumoured take place upon the arrival of former interim Heavyweight champion Antonio “Rodrigo” Nogueira and 6-time champion Randy “The Natural” Couture will finally take place at UFC 102.
Randy “The Natural” Couture
His last fight in the octagon ended his reign as the Ultimate Fighting Championships Heavyweight division Champion. At the hands of newcomer Brock Lesnar, “The Natural” was defeated by TKO at UFC 91.
A mixed martial arts practitioner and veteran of the Ultimate Fighting Championships, Randy Couture first made his appearance in the octagon at UFC 13 where he defeated Tony Halme via submission.
Over the years Randy Couture has fought epic battles, losing some but winning most. With a professional record of 16-9, Couture has proven that despite his age, he is still young at heart. Facing names such as, Victor Belfort, Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell, Josh Barnett and Pedro Rizzo.
Being one of the only fighters to hold two UFC championship titles, in two separate weight classes, the Heavyweight and the Light Heavyweight title, Couture announced his retirement from mixed martial arts, after suffering his second loss to the “Ice Man” Chuck Liddell at UFC 57.
In 2007, Couture returned to the octagon at UFC 68, where he challenged Tim Sylvia for his Heavyweight title and captured the title after five - five minute rounds and a unanimous judge’s decision. Randy faced number one contender Garbriel Gonzaga at UFC 74 and defeated the challenger by TKO in the third round
Couture resigned from the Ultimate Fighting Championship after his bout with Gonzaga, and entertained thoughts of wanting to fight Affliction’s, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emilenenko. The two men met face to face in the affliction ring at the promotions second production.
After legal battles with the UFC over his resignation, Couture retuned as the Heavyweight Champion (seeing as he was the champion when he departed) to face Brock Lesnar, with the winner meeting the winner of the Noguiera vs. Mir match for title unification.
Antonio “Rodrigo” Nogueira
Emerging from the now defunct Pride Fighting Championships, Nogueira signed with UFC and came out victorious in his first octagon bout over “The Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring, by judge’s decision.
Making his name in the Pride Fighting Championships, Noguiera won the Heavyweight title after defeating the same man he beat in his octagon debut, Heath Herring. Nogueira reigned as Heavyweight champion for two years while defeating challengers such as Enson Inoue, Bob Sapp, Dan Henderson and 6’11 giant Semmy Schilt, along the way.
Nogueira’s title run came to an end when he was defeated by Fedor Emilenko at PrideFC 25 - Body Blow. The Russian Sambo practitioner, Emilenenko, proved to be too much for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Noguiera, handing him loss by judge’s decision.
Rodrigo worked his way through and defeated competitors the likes of Mirko Filipovic, Heath Herring for the second time, Ricco Rodriguez and Sergi Kharitonov. It was at Pride Shockwave 2004; where once again Noguiera was given the opportunity to recapture the Heavyweight title, but fell short. His five-fight winning streak was ended at the hands of Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emilenenko.
Nogueira’s last performances in the PrideFC ring ended on a high note, in which he was able to avenge his loss to Josh Barnett at PrideFC Shockwave 2006.
At UFC 81, Rodrigo was able to submit Tim Sylvia to become the interim Heavyweight Champion. Ten months later Nogueira was defeated by Frank Mir where he lost his interim championship and his chance at the title shot to Challenge Brock Lesnar to determine the UFC Heavyweight champion.
Ultimate Fighting Championships 102
After coming off of losses in their last fights, a win is needed for both parties involved, if they intend to compete for championship gold again in the octagon. A fight that was highly anticipated upon the arrival of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and before the departure of Randy “The Natural” Couture, will finally take form when they meet face to face.
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