In a battle of Ultimate Fighting Championship superstars, Randy Couture lost via unanimous decision to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira on Saturday in Portland at UFC 102
The showdown on Saturday night at UFC 102 between Ultimate Fighting Championship legends Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was years in the making.
The wait was worth it.
In one of the most intense fights of 2009, Couture (16-10) and Nogueira (32-5-1) went toe-to-toe for three rounds at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore., with Nogueira ultimately proving that despite a loss in his last match, he's not done yet. Nogueira scored a unanimous decision victory over the hometown favorite Couture, vaulting back into title contention in UFC's heavyweight division.
"I want to be the top in UFC. I want the title belt," said Nogueira, the only man to win the heavyweight title in both UFC and Pride.
"To fight against (UFC heavyweight champ Brock) Lesnar would be my pleasure."
Two judges scored Saturday's main event 30-27 while the third had it 29-28.
Nogueira, who said a staph infection and injured knee played a major role in him getting beaten badly by Frank Mir late last year, heaped praise on Couture.
"To me, it was beautiful to fight here in Portland ... (Couture) is a true champion. He's one of my idols in the UFC."
Couture is the only man to win the UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight titles.
Couture, who at age 46 faces retirement talk following each of his fights, said he was "obviously disappointed" with the outcome, but that he'll "let the dust settle" before thinking about the future.
"I'm ready to fight," he said, adding that it's "guys like Nogueira" that keep him coming back to the Octagon time and again.
Nogueira nearly had Couture choked out midway through the first round, but Couture barely survived, drawing roars of approval from the partisan crowd. For the remainder of the round, the cheers became deafening as both men swung for the knockout with every punch.
In the second round, Couture scored with several shots in their standup exchanges, but Nogueira was again able to dominate on the mat, nearly finishing Couture with a choke and scoring points from the mount position.
Nogueira knocked Couture down early in the third round and poured a flurry of hammer fists to Couture's head. Couture survived, but was never able to threaten the Brazilian.
.When comparing Nogueira, to whom many consider the greatest fighter of all time, there is no comparison. Randy Couture’s 16-8-0 record does not stand up with Nogueira’s considering Couture has half the amount of victories and double the amount of losses. Defeats against people like Mikhail Illoukhine, Valentijm Overeem and even Ricco Rodriguez are scars on Couture’s record which cannot be removed.
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