Couture eager to face ‘intriguing opponent’

It's a fight that has been anticipated several times before with a great deal more on the line.

Randy Couture will meet Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a nontitle heavyweight bout in the main event of UFC 102 on Saturday in Portland, Ore.

The two almost met in a tournament in Japan in 2001, but Couture lost in the semifinals before Nogueira won the event.

Then in 2007, Couture walked away from the Ultimate Fighting Championship over a contract dispute before defending his heavyweight belt, a defense that probably would have been against Nogueira.

Less than a year ago, Couture still held the UFC heavyweight title after he returned to the organization. In the meantime, Nogueira had won the interim belt.

Each faced a tough opponent in what essentially was a mini-tournament to unify the belt, but Couture was knocked out by Brock Lesnar and Nogueira similarly was beaten by Frank Mir.

So Mir and Lesnar went on to headline the biggest pay per view in mixed martial arts history at UFC 100 in a heavyweight title unification bout, and Couture and Nogueira were left to square off on this card.

Couture, a Las Vegan who grew up in Washington and spent much of his career in Oregon, doesn't seem to mind that no belts are up for grabs.

"I'm not worried about titles at this point. I'm more interested in intriguing fights and intriguing opponents," he said. "Nogueira's obviously an intriguing opponent. I'm prepared for him, and I haven't really thought much about anyone else."

Couture did say he's happy to be part of the UFC's first foray into Oregon.

"It's going to be nice to be in front of what was my hometown and the hometown crowd. That's always a good feeling, and there's always a lot of energy in the arena in those circumstances," he said. "It's awesome to be the main event for a fight in the Pacific Northwest and especially in Oregon. I'm excited about it."

Nogueira, who was a longtime heavyweight champion in the Pride Fighting Championships, knows he won't be the fan favorite.

"It's an honor to fight Randy and the first time (for the UFC) in Portland," he said. "I know there's going to be a lot of people against me, but I'll be (ready)."

Nogueira, 33, has a 2-1 record but has yet to resemble the fighter fans in Japan knew for many years.

"I can (say) I couldn't show my best performance yet (in the UFC). I think I'm getting there," he said. "I'm getting good shape back, (the) same shape I had in Pride. I still have a lot to show."

Couture said his tank still has plenty in it, as well. At age 46, he insists he is taking his career "one (fight) at a time" but doesn't think this will be his last appearance in the UFC.

"It's what I love to do. It's fun," he said. "When I'm done learning, I'm done competing. I learned a lot this camp."

One of the ways he continues to learn is by mentoring the many amateur and professional fighters who train at Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas.

Couture said being a part of preparing and cornering those fighters has spurred his desire to compete.

"You can't go to those shows and sit on the sidelines and watch the fights without getting pumped up and wanting to go train," he said.

Couture insists all the work he and his trainers have put in preparing those fighters has not taken any of his focus from his upcoming challenge.

Neither, he said, has his pending divorce from his third wife, Kim.

"Unfortunately, I'm going through divorce again, but it's a lot different this time than it was with the 12-year relationship that Trish and I had," Couture said of his divorce from his second wife. "Back then, I felt everybody was hating on me all at the same time, and it was hard to deal with.

"This issue is between Kim and I, a 21/2-year marriage that's pretty easy to separate, and I think things are progressing. The attorneys are doing their jobs, and that allows me to just focus on training and get ready for this fight."

What comes after that, Couture is not ready to discuss.

"It would be stupid to look past this fight. To think about anything else but this fight is a surefire way to get your ass handed to you, frankly," he said. "(I'm hoping to) get to Portland and have a good outing and let the dust settle and worry about all that other stuff down the road."

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@ reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.