It’s Official: Couture vs. Lesnar on November 15 for the UFC Heavyweight Title
(Guess who’s coming to UFC 91.)
Captain America is back in the UFC, and he and Dana White are best buds once again. At least, that was the story from White’s end on today’s UFC conference call. You could practically hear the smile on his face as the UFC president announced that his heavyweight champ was back and would face Brock Lesnar in a five-round title fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on November 15. While White said the organization still plans to go to Portland, Oregon eventually — the rumored site of UFC 91 — he played down any notion that the event was ever really headed there. As for the intense legal battle with Couture, that’s all water under the bridge now, as far as White’s concerned, and there is no bad blood between them.
“Through this whole thing I never said anything really bad about Randy,” White said. “I think the worst thing I said about him was that he was confused. I like Randy. I always have.”
While both White and Couture repeatedly said they were thankful to have the legal dispute over, Couture sounded a slightly different note, suggesting at times that he’d simply been worn down by the lengthy process.
He described himself as “frustrated by our legal system” and said he was “tired of throwing money around with no end in sight.” He also seemed to have been persuaded by the fact of his own age and the prospect that he might not get to fight any time in the near future if not in the UFC.
“I’m forty-five, and I can’t sit around in courtrooms much longer,” said Couture.
White painted a picture of a more amicable dispute, suggesting that communication between Couture and the UFC never broke down.
“When you’re in a legal situation like we were in, you’re talking everyday. We never went to court. The furthest we got was depositions…We resolved it.”
Naturally, the talk turned to Fedor Emelianenko and the chances of making a bout with Couture happen inside the UFC. White certainly didn’t rule it out, but said that as long as the Russian was under contract with “another organization,” the UFC wouldn’t be actively pursuing him.
Asked whether the Fedor fight was essential to his legacy, Couture implied that it was more important to Fedor’s posterity than his own.
“If people are going to take him seriously and give him credit as the number one heavyweight in the world, he needs to come fight me.”
White said he wasn’t sure “if Fedor cares about his legacy,” but quoted Chuck Liddell in saying, “beating Randy Couture means something.”
Feeling a little left out in all this was Brock Lesnar, who blew up when asked whether he’d be interested in fighting Fedor.
“Who gives a shit about Fedor? I’m fighting Randy Couture, November 15…I don’t care about fucking Fedor.”
Throughout the call Lesnar’s amateur wrestling credentials were trumpeted, as was his victory over Heath Herring. When asked how this lone UFC victory made Lesnar the number one contender for the UFC heavyweight strap, White remained non-committal.
“It’s not that he’s the number one contender, but he looked damn good against Heath Herring…The good thing about the UFC is we don’t have to deal with the boxing political bullshit…Couture versus Lesnar will be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
White proceeded to guarantee “over a million” pay-per-view buys for the event, and said the winner would face the winner of the next “Ultimate Fighter” coach showdown between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir. Those two will still fight for the interim title, White said, describing the situation as a “tournament” that would culminate in a “champion-versus-champion” match some time in 2009.
As for what he expected the Fedor situation to be like at that time, White said he would be “fucking horrified” if Affliction was still in the MMA business by then.
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September 2nd, 2008 at 2:33 pm
WOW!
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Holy poo nuggets!!!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:52 pm
WOOP WOOP WOOP! Life is good my friends :):):):):)
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
randy should prepare for this fight by doing pushups with a cow on his back.
if this ends as another lay and pray victory by brock lesnar, the ufc should set up a super-heavy weight class.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Good fucking shit.
He has two fights left in him, at least. Brock and Fedor.
I want him to win over Brock, though I don’t want Brock to be cut out from the UFC. So, I hope he’ll stick around and surpass everyone else, except him.
I want him to win over Fedor, just to show the world that age don’t matter. So, he could end is legacy (or contoniue if he wish.)
Then again (!), I don’t want Fedor to loose. I want him to withdraw from the sport undefeated.
It’s all hard D:
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I don’t feel that Brock deserves a shot so soon, but maybe thats why I’m a wannabe and not in the biz, yet.
I am sure, however, that this match will sell, sell, sell! I’m rooting for Couture, but I’d like it very much if Brock kept his head low, fought well, and didn’t showboat a lay-and-pray victory (pre-fight antics notwithstanding. Just because the other guy was being immature doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the high road).
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
“Who gives a shit about Fedor? I’m fighting Randy Couture, November 15…I don’t care about fucking Fedor.”
It is for that reason I shall never cheer on Lesnar. I loved his last fight and everything but his attitude is garbage. Who gives a shit about fedor?
Possibly every mma fan/fighter his half a brain?
His is not called “the greatest fighter that has ever lived for no reason”
Lesnar is exactly like Ortiz,trying to make the UFC into gay ass wrestling :/
Go Couture GO.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Lesnar can’t finish yet. He has two months to figure that out. He seems overwhelming but so did Sapp and Slice but for some reason Lesnar just looked scary against Herring.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Lesnar doesn’t deserve a title shot, end of story. Proof the UFC’s heavyweight division lacks top end talent outside of a few fighters. I expected Lesnar to fight Kongo next or maybe Werdum.
The way Lesnar showboated and disrespected Heath Herring at the end of his fight was a fucking disgrace as all he did was sit on him. He should take a lesson from any legit UFC Champ like BJ Penn or GSP or Anderson Silva or Forest and show some class and respect ot his opponent.
I hope Randy chokes him out in the first round. Fedor would DESTROY Lesnar.
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I think it was the knees on the ground that made it look bad. I think most people would have taken a couple then just said, “No thanks. Not for me” and tapped. Heath is a tough bastard, got to give him that.
I don’t know if Randy can win this one, but I’m praying that he can, because while I know it will bring in the viewers, Brock doesn’t deserve a title shot after a grand total of two wins.
Rock on Captain!
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:13 pm
i’m actually a fan of lesnar but i’m gonna be rooting for couture.
couture vs emelianenko will be more appealing if couture wins.
lesnar is still young and there’s a lot that he still needs to learn.
1) stay away from the back of the head
2) don’t point and laugh at your opponent
3) don’t ride your opponent
4) don’t ever use the words “fuck” and “fedor” in the same sentence
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Dammit…..it’s mad obvious that Dana’s all about the money by already giving Lesnar a title shot…….The kid has got mad potential and lots to learn…..There’s no reason to put him up against a real champ like Couture…..A loss might be a good thing for him, but damn, let the guy roll on the mats for a couple of years or so before putting him in the ring with a legend….This should be an easy fight for Cpt. America…….Lesnar’s not gonna be hard to beat because he’s a full speed ahead one sided fighter right now, and Coututre knows this…..All he’s gotta do is go out, grab the kid, let him wear himself out for the first three and a half minutes, then work a choke……Easy night, then retire, fuck Fedor
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:15 pm
or i could watch a 500# sea snake mating ball for 25 minutes…and be equally entertained.
but regardless of style…WAR COUTURE!
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
There giving Lesnar a title shot??? 2-1 MMA? 1-1 UFC? WTF now the UFC has a fucking Kimbo on their hands, and as for “i dont give a fuck about fedor,” fedor will beat those words back into his big middle american mouth.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
OHHH SHit! there is a god!! the CAP is Back!!! Sorry brock, but your gonna be another Gabriel gonzaga.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
@pd , well you can use thoose two words in the same sentence. like “fedor will fuck up brock lesnar!”
I personally hate brock. his attitude, his lay and pray and the fact that he only seems to rely on his size.
Great to have Randy back! Hope he will woop brocks butt, sadly I dont see that happening seeing as they have the same strengths, that being wrestling, and lesnar is twice the size of poor little Randy.
Oh and btw, wouldnt it be great to see randy vs rampage? A crazy dude beating on a senior citizen…. Just kidding=)
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Sorry fellahs, I got lesnar on this one.
1) brock is faster
2) Randy can’t stuff brocks take down
3) Randy cant wrestle with lesnar
4) brock has a better reach advantage
I dont think randy can control brock in the clinch and brock wont be on his back. Lesnar is too strong, too fast and too quick.
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm
most of you guys are toolbags.
everyone had hype on kimbo vs thompson, and performed poorly. whereas, lesnar came into the ufc and has performed extremely well considering his lack of experience. even against an experienced and well-known contender, herring, he managed to CONTROL him throughout the entire fight like it was nothing. how is lesnar anyhting like kimbo?
aside from all of that.. i htink lesnar is going to beat randy. its not that i don’t think randy is good or anything.. its just that lesnar has too much athleticism and power, and age is starting to settle in on randy.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
@turd; Lesner is Faster than Couture? really? Does anybody really think that Randy can’t do what Frank Mir did?
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
I’m rooting for Couture on this one. I realize Lesnar is still inexperienced as an mma fighter, but I hate his technique (and his attitude). He really does just depend on his size to win the match.
As far as Fedor v. Lesnar…..
I don’t think lesnar can win this one. Fedor can take a huge beating while keeping his cool and wait for the right time get a submission.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm
“It’s not that he’s the number one contender, but he looked damn good against Heath Herring…The good thing about the UFC is we don’t have to deal with the boxing political bullshit…Couture versus Lesnar will be the biggest fight in UFC history.”
1. He looked good against Heath Herring? Heath is tough guy, but really just a gatekeeper with a mixed bag of skills. Not saying the victory wasn’t impressive, but it didn’t warrant a title shot.
2. If by political bullshit, you mean a system that promotes success then yes…the UFC is not plagued by such a burden. You gotta be kidding me… You just told Febricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez tough tit-tay but this guy with 3 fights and 1 UFC win big boys you two out of the picture.
3. Couture v. Lesnar may be the biggest UFC event ever, but it won’t progress the sport any more than Kimbo v. Shamrock.
Couture in the second round..you pick the submission.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Is anyone else as excited over the possiblily of Mir vs Couture or Nogueira vs Couture? I think Fedor is a good fight but I want to see Randy destroy as many people as possible before they collide. If only this could be set up like a real tournament and include Werdum, Arlovski, and Barnett.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
“the glza Says:
September 2nd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
randy should prepare for this fight by doing pushups with a cow on his back.”
HAHAHA!! Thats funny man!
I think brock will pose a challenge for randy, but think randy is to crafty to lose …couture by submission 2nd round.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Most of you seriously call yourselves MMA knowledgeable? Seriously?
A) Lay n Pray is NOT what Brock did to Herring. Brock dished out a ton of damage. Lay (lay in guard and do “just” enough to not get stood up and not to take and chances of getting caught in a sub) & Pray (pray the judges give you the win for being in the dominant position most of the fight). Brock would have finished 90% of anyone else in that fight, Herring is just that tough.
@ Elusivewolf
“He should take a lesson from any legit UFC Champ like BJ Penn or GSP or Anderson Silva or Forest and show some class and respect ot his opponent.”
Yea because licking blood(bj), breakdancing and backflipping (gsp), dancing/playing air guitar(silva) show complete class and respect for their opponents…. I have nothing bad to say about Forrest, you got 1/4 right. BJ and Silva both trash talk before fights as well unlike Brock did with Herring. Silva is just very subtle about it.
You are all just angry the big bad WWE guy made a big time MMA vet look like ass when it was supposed to be the other way around. Which you subconsciously believe makes MMA look bad. Which it does not.
Does Brock deserve a title shot? Hell no. Paper champ Nogueira is already going to fight Mir with a whole TUF series shot and ready to air to go with it… Mir doesn’t even deserve a shot really. Who else in the UFC not signed to another fight does over him? Maybe just Werdum?(can’t think of anyone else off the top of my head) They would all be very low PPV numbers compared to Brock and that’s why Brock is getting the shot. So wake up and get over it.
September 3rd, 2008 at 2:02 am
no fuckin way brock is already getting a title shot, that is bag full o’ bullshit….just imagine how the other heavyweight contenders must be feeling right now knowing some newbie with a 1-1 UFC win record will already be getting a title shot, it proves that cash is 100% king, and hard work and diligence a pauper.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:59 am
@FredFlintstone- Everyone has a gameplan until they get punched in the face so hard they do a backflip.
September 3rd, 2008 at 5:56 am
lesnar doesnt deserve a shot already. and by white saying that the boxin political BS didnt matter then he is just saying hey this is our kimbo. and we’ll throw the heavy weight belt around like a 2 cent whore that means nothin and is worth nothin.
lesnar has alot of athletism for such a big SOB and thus has potential but doesnt have the experience much less deserve a title shot. i hope randy pounds him into the ground or breaks his leg - i guess ill be realistic
September 3rd, 2008 at 6:30 am
Well this is good news, I think. Possible or likely outcomes from this fight:
-Whether Randy wins or not (he’s getting old!) he gets paid big bucks, which makes me happy. MMA fans owe a massive debt to Randy Couture as one of its great ambassadors and helping it grow and in the right direction for years. Win or lose he deserves a retirement gift.
-Lesnar will learn real fast not to talk shit or disrespect Couture. Other fighters have been down that track, and eventually they climb high enough that they run into someone they can’t AFFORD to talk shit about.
-Will this encourage Fedor to come out and play? I think no matter who wins, it should. If Couture wins, UFC can setup a mega fight. If Lesnar wins, they Fedor gets to turn a guy who beat Couture into dust. Win Win.
-We get to see Randy fight again. Although we have to steel ourselves that he might lose, and possibly in a pretty catastrophic fashion, if his age is a factor in not being able to overcome Lesnar’s athleticism/smothering.
I don’t think it Lesnar “deserves” a title shot, but the situation is pretty murky, to say the least. I don’t see any other option that - as a business - the UFC would reasonably pursue.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Lesnar,
“fuck” and “fedor” in the same sentence is not a good thing buddy.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
I think Fedor actually has 3 wins by way of fuck.
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:57 am
What a slap in the face to the heavyweight division and the fighters in the UFC!! How would anyone like it if a less skilled, experienced and unproven person was promoted over you when you have more skill, knowledge and have worked your whole life for the promotion? I would quit right there and tell the boss (Dana White) to Ef off. This is putting money in front of the fighters and that kind of company is not a good one to work for and ppl will turn away. Dana White is not a good business man, he’s a good marketer and like all large companies, they forget who the real people are who make up the business (fighters) and they shaft them like this. What a dirt bag.
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
If any of you guys had ever wrestled at any level above kindergarden playground, you would realize that Lesnar has paid his dues. The man spends half his effin life in a gym working out and the other half on the mats wrestling and all he gets out of it is shit talk from a bunch of know nothings. If you knew anything about wrestling you would have really appreciated how easily he man handled Herring. Lesnar didnt even need to sink in hooks to completely control a man who was nearly his own size. There is much more to that than just size and strength, and a lot more to MMA than swinging haymakers for the fences.Lesnar got excited against Mir and fell into a leg log, he gets criticized. Lesnar is patient and executes a perfect game plan,completely controlling a supposed top ten opponent, he gets criitcized. Get over it fellas, he is for real. Randy Coutre came into MMA with a very similar background as Lesnar and look where he is now. The way Herring talked down to Lesnar I don’t blame him for being an ass in the ring post fight. Herring gave the man no respect at all.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:26 pm
To all the whiners over who deserves a shot more:
Life is tough, grab a helmet.
This is a business, if you fail to see that then you fail. Whether Brock wins or loses is also a moot point. This is a win for everyone especially those “more deserving” of a title shot right now. This fight will put the UFC even more on the “map” and everyone will make more $ in the future.
Who is deserving right now anyways? Arlovski is gone. Kongo sucks balls. Gonzaga was a flash in the pan. Werdum maybe but he wouldn’t sell any PPVs, he isn’t anywhere near a household name to the casual fans (who are the ones that make up the majority of the PPV numbers). Pretty much any other heavyweight with a winning streak are all noobs like Lesnar. So where are all these deserving heavyweights that none of you mention by name? Oh you guys mean Butterbean…
You can’t say this won’t be an interesting fight and any of you so called experts who say they will boycott this PPV are liars.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 pm
I think that this fight is punishment to the heavyweight division for sucking ass. If there were better fighters in the division who were more marketable this shit wouldn’t have to happen.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:07 am
You “experts” are funny. You hate on him for losing, you hate on him when he wins and now your hating on him for getting a shot at Couture in a fight he was CHOSEN to be in. If you want to hate on someone hate on Dana White for being a greedy bastard. Also, you asshats continue saying Lesnar won by lay and pray vs Herring? The only one doing a lay and pray WAS Herring. He lay fetal for 3 f’n rounds praying to hell the pain would stop. Seriously, what part of lay and pray makes a dude look like he walked out of a train wreck? Get over it, the dude got rolled and he deserved it. I like Couture but just for you experts I hope Lesnar rips his head off and shoves it up “sugar free’s” ass.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:11 am
If Lesnar wins this fight with Couture, MMA will be made a mockery. Brock, the WWE super tool/Minnesota Viking Reject is the heavyweight champion of UFC? Couture will Tap is ridiculously over sized ass out in the third, after landing some some hard rights and lumpin his eye worst than the other waste of space Tim Sylvia. COUTURE is the fucking MAN!……. But Fedor would handle him
September 4th, 2008 at 10:22 am
And Turd Ferguson is retarded…
Randy has been FIGHTING for years and training to fight for years.
Oh, but you’re right, Lesnar could get him in a BIG BODY SUPLEX, or a pile driver.
Muscles and size have nothing to do with MMA.
Look at Gonzaga ending Cro-Cop’s career. And then Couture molesting Gonzaga. Bigger, stronger and younger don’t mean shit.
September 4th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
hahahah he said fuck fedor because everyone was talking about him and he’s not even in the company, actually listen to the shit before you pass judgment you faggots. If Lesnar wins he’s 2-1 in the ufc then he has to fight mir/nog for the unified title, if he won he’d be 3-1.., that’s about average for a ufc champ getting a belt so pull your head out of each others assholes and consider that.
RAndy is a scum sucking douche bag I hope brock kills him in the cage, fuck couture what a asshole. “It’s not about money, it’s about respect, and money shows respect” Fucking douche bag.
@gowitit, yea bigger stronger and younger isn’t much, but brock is much much faster than couture and that may make a difference. If Randy can’t Ko/Tko Brock, Lesnar is gonna get the UD.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
HORSE SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITTT!!! That being said I hope Lesnar wins, not because I’m a fan of weenie tats displayed in fairly obvious areas, but because Couture sat on his fanny so long looking for the BBD. If he doesn’t win they should recruit Sting next, that mother trucker carries a bat yo.
September 4th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
sting sucks, kurt angle whooped that ass
September 6th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
First off, Lesnar 69’s himself…. second off….. 1 win should NOT be a ticket to a title shot…. especially against Heath Herring.. who has 4 wins in his last 10 fights.
If and it’s a big IF… but IF Lesnar gets lucky and smothers Randy right away and gets some edge to win… it will have nothing to do with talent and everything to do with the fact that he is a super heavyweight and Couture is naturally a light heavyweight.
PS Dana White can suck a D&*K… he’s the Don King of MMA.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
3 reasons why Dana made this fight…
1. Money
2. Because BL beats RC into retirement. Whens the last time RC had a real fight? DW is pissed at RC, and just ended his career.
3. Money
Someone better stop BL before he learns too much. He is too much of a man with alot of years left ahead of him. It like to see him take a bomb on the chin…if he lasts thru that, he is likely gonna be the best fighter ever. He looks funny balance wise in full mount because he is soo top heavy. Other than that, I think he’s the one who could say fuck fedor.
September 10th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
and also, how can you choke someone who doesnt have a neck?
September 10th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Freeeeeeek….
Lesnar is just a super heavyweight who is fighting heavyweights…. put him up against a talented super heavyweight or…. a chevy and he’s in trouble. I think he’s a dick. This won’t be the first time Randy pissed off that A-hole Dana with a victory.
Hey Dana… suck a dick.
September 10th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
All You Boys are so stupid for saying Lesnar doesn’t deserve a title shot after one win in the UFC. May I remind you so called MMA experts that Bas Rutten, Kevin Randleman, and Tim Sylvia all recieved title shots after only one win in the in the UFC. And Thats Just Heavyweights. Tito Ortiz got a title shot for the 205 belt against Silva directly after blowing his 205 title to Frank Shamrock. Ken Shamrock got a title shot against Ortiz in his first fight in the UFC in six years and after losing two consecutive fights in pride. Even though Chuck Liddell was clearly the number 1 contender. You guys should do three things before posting on here:
1. Listen to Eugene more the guy knows the business.
2. Do you homework before you open your mouths.
3. Understand that the UFC is not the WBC, WBA, or IBF. What Dana White meant by boxing political BS Is The UFC picks the fights they believe the fans want to see. Mike Tyson knocked out 25 people and 2 unanimous decision before his first title shot(lucky for fans Tyson fought on a schedule of twice a month and it only took a year and a half for a title shot). My point is the UFC knows fans want to see the most entertaining fighters fight for the title right now right now not 18 months later after he’s climmbed the ranks of the 30 other guys ranked higher. That takes forever. You people argue Lesnar doesn’t deserve a title shot, since when did merit play any part in the UFC fight selection. Liddell won nine fights in the Octagon before his first title shot yet Wanderlei Silva fought Ortiz for the 205 Crown after while being 1-1 in the Octagon. The Lesson: Merit is nothing Greed is Everything Obey Your Greed. This Fight Sells. And a former WWE Superstar is in the Main Event. GET OVER IT