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Call it an uneasy peace.
On a conference call with members of the MMA and wider media, UFC President Dana White confirmed the return of the self-exiled Heavyweight Champion Randy “The Natural” Couture. Plans for his next fights were also discussed.
p>The eleven-month stalemate between the Las Vegas-based promotion and heavyweight legend began last October. Couture’s sudden resignation from the UFC drew controversy from fans and further brought out Zuffa’s oft-cited questionable contracts.
Since then, a petitioned ruling in the Texas Supreme Court on Couture’s contractual obligations to the UFC by Mark Cuban was remanded to Nevada court. Arbitration was ongoing per the terms of Couture’s contract and grievances.
White confirmed to the media that Couture is still recognized as the heavyweight champion, while he has also signed on to a new three-fight contract. The first bout scheduled is for November 15th at UFC 91, as he will defend his title in a five-round fight against UFC newcomer and pay-per-view draw Brock Lesnar. Though the card was originally scheduled to be held in Portland, Oregon, White stated that the event will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The December match-up between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Frank Mir at UFC 92 will determine the number one contender. The winner will face the winner between Lesnar and Couture.
A part of the contract that piqued interest during the call dealt with the UFC’s diligence in attempting to make the long-waited and much-hyped Couture-Fedor Emelianenko bout happen.
”We’re going to do everything we can to make that fight happen,” White said. “[Emelianenko] is under another contract right now to another promotion and if we can work it out with the other promotion, we will; but we’re not going to screw around with another contract.
 Reports have circulated that the Russian juggernaut has signed a major extension with Affliction where he would defend his WAMMA title in the promotion’s third event either in January or February.
Couture “can’t sit around in courtrooms much longer.”
One of the major reasons Couture settled for a new contract had to deal with the financial and other tangible sacrifices made in his efforts to see his contract end.
”I’m frustrated by our legal system and I’m tired of throwing money around with no end in sight,” he said. “I’m forty-five and can’t sit around courtrooms much longer…We’re both ready to try and move forward. We’ve cleared the air and we’re both in different places than we were a year ago. Sitting last year in legal fights was not something I’ve enjoyed.”
White painted a picture of an amicable separation and downplayed the supposed animosity between the parties.
”Through this whole thing I’ve never said anything really bad about Randy. I think the worst thing I said about him was that he was confused. I like Randy. I always have.” |
