Randy Couture to end UFC layoff, will fight Brock Lesnar
MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
Former champion Couture, 45, will return after a year-long hiatus to take on former pro wrestler Lesnar in a pay-per-view bout Nov. 15 in Las Vegas. UFC President Randy White predicts 1 million buys.
Ultimate Fighting Championship took a step toward regaining its foothold in the mixed martial arts heavyweight division when it announced today that former champion Randy Couture, 45, would return to the octagon after a year-long layoff and take on former WWE professional wrestler Brock Lesnar in a five-round title bout Nov. 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
With Couture's popularity in MMA circles and Lesnar's recognition among professional wrestling fans, UFC President Dana White predicted the fight would be one of the most popular of all time and generate more than 1 million pay-per-view buys. The first seven UFC pay-per-view cards this year attracted between 225,000 and 650,000 viewers.
The victor is scheduled to fight the winner of a December bout between Frank Mir and Antonio Nogueira, who beat Tim Sylvia in February to win Couture's vacated heavyweight championship. Couture said he also remains interested in a long-anticipated fight against Fedor Emelianenko of Russia.
"I'd rather be fighting Fedor in November," Couture said. "We're heading in the right direction, though. With any luck, we'll get there."
Couture retired from UFC last October while still holding the belt, claiming he was underpaid by the organization. He was later sued by UFC for failing to honor the final two fights in his four-fight contract. Both sides said the legal issues have been resolved.
"I'm 45 years old, I can't sit around in courtrooms very much longer," said Couture, who is 6 feet 1 and weighs 225 pounds.
Although he has fought only twice in UFC, the 31-year-old Lesnar earned a title shot as a result of his impressive unanimous decision over Heath Herring last month in Minneapolis. "Not a lot of people get this opportunity," said Lesnar, who is 6-2, 265. During the conference call, Lesnar was mostly ignored as Couture (16-8) and White were repeatedly asked if Couture's return to UFC would open the door for a bout with Emelianenko.
White said he hopes to make another run at signing Emelianenko, but not before his contract expires with rival MMA group Affliction. Emelianenko headlined Affliction's heavyweight-laden debut card July 19 at the Honda Center and knocked out Sylvia in 36 seconds. Emelianenko fractured his right hand during the fight, but said last month he'd be ready to return for Affliction's third show, likely to be scheduled early next year.
White predicts Affliction will exit the fight business by then, putting Emelianenko back on the market.
"These guys are dying on the vine," White said of Affliction. "You're not under contract if your business is not around anymore."
dan.arritt@latimes.com
