Couture Returns to UFC - Will Face Lesnar!

The legal battle between UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture and the UFC is finally over. On Tuesday, the 45-year-old champ agreed to return to the world’s leading MMA organization. His first fight back will be against the phenomenon known as Brock Lesnar. This ends 11 months of legal wrangling between Couture and the UFC.

REACHING A RESOLUTION

“I said all along, ‘Never say never,” stated Couture. “When I sat down, looked at the legal situation and how long it was going to take for me to fight this battle and to be in a position to fight Fedor, that was kind of a turning point.

SEARCHNG FOR FEDOR EMELIANENKO

The Fedor in question is Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian fighter who most consider the best heavyweight in the world. Couture really wants to meet him in the ring, but the UFC has so far been unsuccessful in signing him. Most recently, Fedor signed an exclusive U.S. contract with the Affliction brand.

UFC President Dana White, always one with an opinion, believes it’s only a matter of time before Fedor will be available.

“I would be fuc*ing horrified if Affliction is still in business by January. They’re going to burn a lot of cash in the next couple of months, believe me.”

White went on to say, “They’ll be gone in a couple of months, and then Fedor will have to come here. Listen, you’re not under contract if the company isn’t in business anymore.”

ENTER BROCK LESNAR

But before he takes on Fedor, Couture will have to defend his title on November 15th against Brock Lesnar at UFC 91. This promises to be the biggest fight in UFC history, as Lesnar looked like a monster against Heath Herring last month and has quickly built up a legion of fans. Couture, by the way, remains the most popular fighter the UFC has ever seen.

Couture has not competed since destroying Gabriel Gonzaga in August of 2007. Prior to that, he captured the title by defeating Tim Sylvia in March of 2007. A perpetual underdog, many wonder how he will deal with Lesnar’s freakish combination of size, strength and speed.

“Obviously, the only fight I’ve been pining for is the Fedor fight, but that’s not going to happen right away,” said Couture. “In the interest of resolving our differences, I agreed to fight Brock. He’s a huge man and a formidable opponent. I’m not overlooking him by any means.”

The winner of this fight will then take on the winner of the Frank Mir/Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira fight. Noguiera, by the way, defeated Tim Sylvia to capture the interim heavyweight title in Couture’s absence.

LESNAR VS. COUTURE - BODOG ODDS

Bodog already has a betting line posted for the upcoming Lesnar/Couture fight, and more odds will be added as the fights are announced. As always, Bodog is the only place for all your betting needs.

Randy Couture -125 vs. Brock Lesnar -105

Couture/Lesnar fight goes 2:30 of Round 3 -260

Couture/Lesnar fight does not go 2:30 of Round 3 +200

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UFC 88 - MMA Betting from Bodog

UFC 81 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

Couture Returns to UFC - Will Face Lesnar!