Couture tries to tailor training for Lesnar

Randy Couture has faced opponents of all shapes and sizes during his lengthy mixed martial arts career.

But when the 45-year-old Las Vegan returns to action on Nov. 15 -- nearly 15 months after his last fight -- he knows he will face a singular challenge against Brock Lesnar.

"He's very explosive. He's a good athlete. He's certainly unique," Couture said Saturday night during a card promoted by his wife Kim at the Thomas & Mack Center. "It's been hard to find training partners, but we've got some bigger guys and some very good wrestlers to work with at the gym."

Lesnar, who has to cut weight before fights to get below the 265-pound heavyweight limit, is an exceptional athlete.

Couture said he is midway through training camp as he prepares for the former professional wrestler.

"Excellent," Couture said of his camp, saying he's right on track. "Five weeks in and five weeks to go."

The fight for Couture's Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight title will headline a card at the MGM Grand.

• SPIKE CARD SATURDAY -- The UFC card slated for Saturday in Birmingham, England, will air tape-delayed at 9 p.m. on Spike TV (Cable 29).

The main event is a middleweight contender match between Chris Leben and Michael Bisping.

The fight was postponed from June because Leben had to spend about 10 days in jail for an old parole violation as the fight date neared. The incarceration affected Leben's training camp and travel logistics.

Instead, Bisping fought Jason Day and won convincingly. It marked the second straight impressive victory for the 185-pounder since moving down from light heavyweight.

Another fighter attempting to move down in weight is Brandon Vera. The former heavyweight will make his second light heavyweight appearance in a clash with Keith Jardine on the card.

Vera was sluggish in his 205-pound debut in July, but came away with a decision over Reese Andy.

Jardine, on the other hand, is seeking some consistency. His last four fights have been a roller-coaster ride in which he defeated Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell, but suffered first-round knockouts at the hands of Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva.

• KOSCHECK REPLACES SANCHEZ -- UFC welterweight contender Diego Sanchez tore cartilage in his ribs during training and has been forced to pull out of a scheduled matchup against Thiago Alves in Chicago on Oct. 25.

Alves will take on Josh Koscheck instead.

All three fighters are positioning for a potential title shot in the division that is dominated by Georges St. Pierre.

Alves is coming off a dominant victory over former champion Matt Hughes.

Koscheck is 7-1 in his last eight fights, with the lone loss to St. Pierre.

The Chicago card, a pay-per-view event, will be headlined by a middleweight title fight between Patrick Cote and champion Anderson Silva.

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