my.nwi.com

By Matt Erickson
matt.erickson@nwi.com, (219) 933-3275

Let’s get the age thing out of the way. Yes, for a mixed martial arts fighter, Randy Couture is old.

At 46, Couture has nearly always been at least a decade older than the men he’s stood across from in fights. But like George Burns or the Rolling Stones, age hasn’t seemed to matter much to “The Natural.”

On Saturday, Couture takes on Brandon “The Truth” Vera in the main event of UFC 105 at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England. And once again, he’ll be taking on a much younger opponent — and looking for his first win in more than two years.

Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer, is a three-time heavyweight champion and two-time light heavyweight champ. Saturday’s fight will be his return to the light heavyweight division after four fights at heavyweight — and that could prove to be a bigger story in the long run than his age. Couture, who lost his heavyweight title to Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 a year ago, wants to make another run at the light heavyweight belt currently held by Lyoto Machida.

“I would love to be a six-time UFC champion, to set the bar very high in that regard, and that’s what I want to accomplish at 205 pounds,” Couture said. “That is my immediate goal. I’m very intrigued by the current light heavyweight division. There are some great matchups for me here, and I believe I have the tools to win back the 205-pound title.”

Couture, a former All-American, Olympian and wrestling coach, has toggled back and forth between light heavyweight and heavyweight in his career. He began his career at heavyweight before moving to 205 pounds at UFC 43 six years ago. After retiring in 2006, he came out of retirement at heavyweight at UFC 68 and reclaimed  a title he hadn’t held since 2001.

“When I moved to heavyweight a couple years ago, I saw openings for someone with my skill set,” Couture said. “I think it will be harder to get to the top of the heap at 205 pounds right now, but I want challenges.”

One of those challenges for most heavyweights dropping down a division would be the weight cut. But Couture, on the small side at heavyweight, said it shouldn’t be a problem for him.

“Making 205 pounds won’t be an issue,” Couture said. “I have to eat and eat to fight at heavyweight. I won’t even have to cut weight to get back down to light heavyweight.”

In Vera, Couture gets someone who can go toe-to-toe with his wrestling abilities — and someone he’s spent time training with in the past.

“He’s known for his stand-up in the UFC, but I know from experience that his wrestling is outstanding,” Couture said “He represents some interesting tactical problems. He’s looked very sharp, very dangerous, in his last few fights. His stand-up is very good, he is very fast and accurate with his kicks and he can hurt you to the legs with those weapons. He also proved he has the power to hurt big heavyweights, and that he can be patient and take advantage if you make a mistake.”

Couture, who has also been called “Captain America” to go along with his most common nickname, “The Natural,” will fight for the first time in the United Kingdom — and the first time outside the U.S. in nearly nine years. UFC president Dana White said Tuesday on his Twitter account that sales for UFC 105 have been good — and Couture, one of the most widely known fighters in MMA history, certainly helps that cause.

“I was at the last UFC in Manchester and I couldn’t believe the reception I got as I took my ringside seat,” Couture said. “The British fans go crazy for the UFC. The fans were very humbling and it was a big factor in taking this fight — I thought it would be something to fight in front of these fans.”

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UFC 105
When: Saturday, 9 p.m. (tape delay)
Where: Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, England
TV: Spike (cable)

Main Card
205: Randy Couture (16-10) vs. Brandon Vera (11-3)
170: Dan Hardy (14-2) vs. Mike Swick (22-6-1)
185: Michael Bisping (18-2) vs. Denis Kang (32-11-1)
170: James Wilks (7-2) vs. Matt Brown (12-7)
155: Ross Pearson (11-3) vs. Aaron Riley (28-11-1)

Preliminary Card
170: Paul Taylor (10-4-1, 1 NC) vs. John Hathaway (12-0)
155: Terry Etim (13-2) vs. Shannon Gugerty (12-3)
170: Nick Osipczak (4-1) vs. Matthew Riddle (3-0)
155: Paul Kelly (10-1) vs. Dennis Siver (14-6)
205: Alexander Gustafsson (8-0) vs. Jared Hamman (11-1)
155: Andre Winner (10-3-1) vs. Roli Delgado (8-4-1)