zatoicchi
31.08.08, 11:05
Reigning UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture could return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship by year’s end as part of an out-of-court settlement with the organization.
Multiple sources close to the fighter, speaking exclusively to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com)), today said that Couture is willing to fight once more for the UFC, possibly before the end of the year, as a potential resolution to his ongoing legal battles with the fight promotion.
However, Couture himself could not be reached for comment, and it’s unknown if the UFC is even considering the offer at this point.
According to one source, as part of Couture’s concession to return the octagon, the 45-year-old UFC hall-of-famer would want to walk away “clear and free” from the organization after the bout.
Couture (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who hasn’t fought since a third-round TKO victory over fellow UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga in August 2007, resigned from the organization two months later over what he perceived to be a lack of respect from UFC officials, issues over his pay, and the UFC’s inability to sign then-top free agent Fedor Emelianenko.
However, Zuffa LLC officials believe, per his fight contract, that Couture’s next two bouts must be in the UFC. Couture had said that he wanted his resignation upheld so he could move on with his career, including a potential bout with Emelianenko outside the UFC.
Randy Couture willing to fight in the UFC once more (http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AmoNX47Kvec1TvyUETwss3g9Eo14?slug=mmajun kie-Randy_Couture_UFC_once_more&prov=mmajunkie&type=lgns)
Multiple sources close to the fighter, speaking exclusively to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com)), today said that Couture is willing to fight once more for the UFC, possibly before the end of the year, as a potential resolution to his ongoing legal battles with the fight promotion.
However, Couture himself could not be reached for comment, and it’s unknown if the UFC is even considering the offer at this point.
According to one source, as part of Couture’s concession to return the octagon, the 45-year-old UFC hall-of-famer would want to walk away “clear and free” from the organization after the bout.
Couture (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC), who hasn’t fought since a third-round TKO victory over fellow UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga in August 2007, resigned from the organization two months later over what he perceived to be a lack of respect from UFC officials, issues over his pay, and the UFC’s inability to sign then-top free agent Fedor Emelianenko.
However, Zuffa LLC officials believe, per his fight contract, that Couture’s next two bouts must be in the UFC. Couture had said that he wanted his resignation upheld so he could move on with his career, including a potential bout with Emelianenko outside the UFC.
Randy Couture willing to fight in the UFC once more (http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=AmoNX47Kvec1TvyUETwss3g9Eo14?slug=mmajun kie-Randy_Couture_UFC_once_more&prov=mmajunkie&type=lgns)