Associated Press
Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.
UFC 102
- Antonio Nogueira spoils Randy Couture’s homecoming
- Win over Couture proves Antonio Nogueira is still one of the best
- Randy Couture leaves Portland feeling like a winner despite loss
- Nate Marquardt makes case for title shot
- Thiago Silva makes a point to prove he's back against Keith Jardine
- Looking back at UFC 102 by the numbers:
- Classic tunes rule fighters' entrance music
- UFC 102: Breakdown and Picks
- Fighters weigh in for first ever UFC event in Portland
- Pacific Northwesterners know Randy Couture for more than his UFC career
- Randy Couture's biggest fan in his home arena will be his son
- The battle of the heavyweight greats
- Couture vs. Nogueira preview
- Nogueira not worried about facing Couture crowd
- Road blog from Portland
- Fireside chat with UFC President Dana White
- UFC looks to be heading to Vancouver
- Loss to Lyoto Machida is all the motivation Thiago Silva needs
- Keith Jardine looking for consistency, not new career
- Marquardt hopes win at UFC 102 would give him Silva
- Undefeated Demian Maia is no secret
- Gabriel Gonzaga looking to add a little excitement to his game
- Randy Couture's Muay Thai trainer more than just a masseur
- Age nothing but a number for former champs
- Home cage advantage
- Complete UFC 102 coverage
PORTLAND, Ore. -- Randy Couture’s homecoming fight might not have been a Cinderella story Saturday night during UFC 102 as the Pacific Northwest native lost to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in a classic battle.
But UFC’s first show in the region was a success, drawing 16,088 spectators, a live gate of $1.92 million and one of the loudest crowds in the promotion’s history.
“I've been to a lot of loud UFC fights," UFC President Dana White said. "That was like concert loud. My ears are still ringing "
Here’s a look back at the UFC’s first show in Portland by the numbers:
1
Las Vegas’ Jake Rosholt, who like Couture was a standout wrestler at Oklahoma State, picked up his first win in the Octagon with a third-round submission over the Portland-based Chris Leben.
The three-time NCCA champ took down Leben with an arm triangle choke for the win at the 1:30 mark in the third.
“I knew in the third round that I needed to make it convincing. At some point in the round I wanted to take him down and do a little damage on the ground,” Rosholt said.
6
The 46-year-old Couture inked a 28-month deal for six more fights Saturday afternoon.
“I had the opportunity to stay with the organization, that was my motivation,” said the five-time UFC champ, who if he completes the contract would take him within six months of his 49th birthday.
“This is the place to be and I intend to finish my career here in the UFC.”
7
Todd Duffee thought his knockout of Tim Hague seven seconds into the fight happened even quicker. He will settle for the UFC record for quickest knockout, flooring Hague with a big left.
“He came back and grabbed me tonight and said I want to fight soon. I want the fast track, I want to fight good guys right now,” said White of the 23-year-old Duffee, who is 6-0 with all of his wins coming by knockout.
15
Minutes it took for Couture and Noguiera to finish their epic battle.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission recently approved five-minute, five-round bouts for fights that do not involve titles.
White said he doesn’t foresee the UFC instituting five-round nontitle bouts, even if he caught himself Saturday wanting the main event Saturday to go longer than the three, five-minute rounds.
“You know how many times I’ve been ringside wishing it was a five-round fight? I did it tonight,” White said.
“But I think that’s what is so special for fighting for the title. If you fight for the title, it’s a five-round fight, if you don’t it’s a three-round fight. If everything is five rounds what’s the point of having a title fight?”
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