Nogueira spoils Randy Couture's homecoming

Thiago Silva knocks out Keith Jardine; Marquardt beats Maia

By Brett Okamoto, Andy Samuelson
Sat, Aug 29, 2009 (4:30 p.m.)

If the two heavyweight legends were past their prime, someone forgot to tell Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The two former UFC champs put on an absolute show for the fans inside Portland's Rose Garden Arena. In the end it was the Brazilian Nogueira capturing a unanimous decision victory over the hometown hero, taking the bout by scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28. Keep reading »

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  Nogueira beats Couture, proves he’s still one of the best

  By Brett Okamoto · August 30, 2009 · 12:46 a.m.

  Under arguably the most unfavorable circumstances and pressure the former PRIDE and UFC heavyweight champion has ever faced, Nogueira went out and dominated Randy Couture Saturday night. Keep reading »

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  Randy Couture loses fight, gains new UFC contract

  By Andy Samuelson · August 30, 2009 · 1:30 a.m.

  If there was ever a parting gift for all the Randy Couture fans who left the Rose Garden Arena with their heads down Saturday night, UFC President Dana White sure delivered it in a big way in the postfight press conference. “He’s got a lot of fights left on his contract,” White told a reporter who asked what’s next for the 46-year-old Washington native, who before Saturday afternoon had only one fight remaining on his UFC contract. A smiling Couture, who was sporting a big bruise under his left eye that he suffered in his unanimous-decision loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira only minutes earlier in the main event of UFC 102, jumped in before White could finish. “We just signed a new contract today,” said Couture, still beaming over the six-fight, 28-month deal. Keep reading »

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  Looking back at UFC 102

  By Andy Samuelson · August 31, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  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. Keep reading »

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  Nate Marquardt makes case for title shot

  By Brett Okamoto · August 30, 2009 · 2:30 a.m.

  With one straight right hand, Nate Marquardt laid out Demian Maia Saturday night to earn a fourth win in his last five fights. However it was the right hand he didn’t throw that might have been the most amazing part of the fight. Keep reading »

• Thiago Silva makes a point to prove he’s back against Keith Jardine

  By Andy Samuelson · August 30, 2009 · 3:30 a.m.

  Thiago Silva insists his finger-pointing to a fallen Keith Jardine was only to make the point that he was back, not taunt “The Dean of Mean” when he was down. His actions moments earlier, when Silva floored Jardine with a big left hook before adding a few finishing blows, would have sufficed. “No, I was just saying I was back,” said Silva (14-1), who rebounded from his only career loss, a first round knockout by light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida at UFC 94 in January. Keep reading »

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  Portland fans backing hometown hero in first-ever UFC event

  By Brett Okamoto, Andy Samuelson · August 25, 2009 · 6:00 p.m.

  If tickets sales are a little shy of what UFC officials had hoped for its first-ever event in the Pacific Northwest, the fans already lining up outside the Rose Garden Arena an hour before the first fight certainly aren’t indicative of a sales slump. A line at least a hundred deep lined up outside the box office window, and most of them are ready to root on their hometown hero Randy Couture. Keep reading »

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  Couture vs. Nogueira preview

  By Brett Okamoto · August 29, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  It’s not advisable for a fighter to look past his next fight. Fans on the other hand, may do it all they want. Keep reading »

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  The battle of the heavyweight greats

  By Andy Samuelson · August 29, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  The UFC will make its Portland debut tonight with UFC 102 at the Rose Garden Arena, but one face in the Octagon won’t be a stranger to the fans filling the stands. Keep reading »

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  Portland looks ready for UFC 102 debut

  By Brett Okamoto · August 28, 2009 · 5:03 p.m.

  The city of Portland is ready for its UFC debut. They proved that Friday by giving Randy Couture a hero's welcome to the city he called home for 14 years. Keep reading »

• Video

  Back for the First Time

  By Alex Adeyanju · August 28, 2009 · 4:22 p.m.

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  UFC Legend Randy Couture talk about his main event match against Antonio Nogueira headlining UFC 102 in Portland, Oregon. Couture, the Oregon native also talks about the UFC in Portland for the first time.

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  Randy Couture’s biggest fan in his home arena will be his son

  By Andy Samuelson · August 29, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  PORTLAND, Ore. — The feeling Ryan Couture has tonight watching his famous father, Randy Couture, walk to the Octagon in his return to Oregon no doubt will be an intense one, but the son of the UFC Hall of Famer definitely won’t be as nervous as the first time he watched his dad fight on a big UFC stage. “The first fight I can really remember that was a huge fight was his first fight with Chuck (Liddell). I was really nervous going into that fight because Chuck was knocking everyone out,” said Ryan Couture, who was a 20-year-old attending the fight in Las Vegas in June of 2003. “To see dad come in there and dominate him and put on such awesome performance and show skills he’d never shown before, was really cool.” Keep reading »

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  Randy Couture: Before he was known as ‘The Natural’

  By Brett Okamoto · August 24, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  There is one simple fact that seems true regarding all levels of UFC fans – chances are they probably remember the first time they saw Randy Couture. Keep reading »

• Video

  Fireside Chat with Dana White: UFC 102

  By Brett Okamoto · August 27, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

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  UFC President Dana White is known for sitting down with media members at every pre-fight press conference to answer any and all questions about his organization. In our first installment of Fireside Chat, White discusses everything from a contract extension for Randy Couture, to Chuck Liddell on Dancing with the Stars.

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  Fireside chat with UFC President Dana White

  By Brett Okamoto · August 28, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Welcome to the first edition of 'Fireside Chats', the best moments from UFC President Dana White's conversation with media members at Thursday's UFC 102 pre-fight press conference. Keep reading »

• UFC looks to be heading to Vancouver

  By Andy Samuelson · August 28, 2009 · 3:30 p.m.

  While the UFC is still hours away from hosting its first-ever event in the Pacific Northwest with UFC 102 at the Rose Garden Arena Saturday night, UFC president Dana White was already talking about the promotion’s next foray into the region. “We're going to Vancouver. We'll be there soon ... Let's just say we got it done," White said during a pre-fight press conference Thursday afternoon for UFC 102 in Portland, while at the same time other UFC officials were up in Canada meeting with local politicians and media members. Keep reading »

• Photogallery

  Randy Couture Workout

  By Justin M. Bowen · August 24, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

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  Former UFC heavyweight champ Randy Couture prepares for his homecoming return to Oregon and return to the Octagon against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 102 on Aug. 29.

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  Couture’s Muay Thai trainer more than just a masseur

  By Andy Samuelson · August 25, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Hearing your massage skills are on par with your Muay Thai technique is probably not the manliest word-of-mouth campaign an MMA trainer can hope for. “They really were fantastic for relieving tension and helping with your strength-meridians and all that,” former UFC champ Randy Couture said of Quentin “The Dragon” Chong’s post-training recovery regiments. Luckily Chong can also boast that he’s the baddest man on the planet two years running — claiming world Muay Thai titles in 2001 and 2002. Keep reading »

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  Age nothing but a number for former champs

  By Andy Samuelson · August 19, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  He’s not dead yet, or even over the hill by his own judgement, but Randy Couture just can’t seem to dodge those age questions. The 46-year-old UFC legend could only laugh out loud when he was asked for the millionth time when he would be calling it quits from a sport he practically created, at least the public image of the modern day UFC, along with fellow mixed martial arts icon Chuck Liddell. “Geez, I've never been asked an age question before. Holy cow," Couture joked with reporters during a teleconference Tuesday for his upcoming Aug. 29 showdown with fellow MMA legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in Portland, Ore. Keep reading »

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  Nogueira not worried about facing Couture crowd

  By Brett Okamoto · August 27, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Antonio Nogueira isn’t worried about the thousands of Randy Couture fans he’ll face when he enters the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Saturday night. He brought all the support he needs with him. Keep reading »

• Video

  UFC 102 Workouts

  By Brett Okamoto · August 28, 2009 · 6:30 p.m.

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  Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Keith Jardine and Thiago Silva work out for the media before Saturday's UFC 102 event in Portland, Oregon.

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  Keith Jardine looking for consistency, not new career

  By Andy Samuelson · August 27, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  PORTLAND, Ore. — Perhaps it’s the thought of countless clogged toilets that keeps him in the gym a little longer each training session. Or maybe Keith Jardine knows he is in too good of shape to pull off that “famous” plumber look. Whatever the reason “The Dean of Mean” knows his calling is that of a fighter, and if wants to keep competing on the sport’s grandest stage he said he needs to string a few wins together. Keep reading »

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  Machida loss is all the motivation Silva needs

  By Andy Samuelson · August 28, 2009 · 1:00 a.m.

  PORTLAND, Ore. — The tattoos that run on both his forearms serve as constant reminders of the incredible journey and faith it took for Thiago Silva to become one of the UFC’s top light heavyweights. But the ink can’t illustrate the heartbreak of failing for the first time. “You come from a series of victories and all of a sudden you lose, it really messes you up,” said the 26-year-old Silva (13-1), who suffered his first setback to undefeated 205-pound champ Lyoto Machida in January at UFC 94 at the MGM Grand. Keep reading »

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  Marquardt hopes win at UFC 102 would give him Silva

  By Brett Okamoto · August 25, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Christmas is still a few months away, but if Nate Marquardt defeats Demian Maia in their middleweight bout at UFC 102 in Portland this Saturday, here’s a good guess as to what he’ll be asking Santa for this year: Please keep Anderson Silva in the middleweight division. Keep reading »

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  Undefeated Demian Maia is no secret

  By Brett Okamoto · August 28, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Demian Maia may face his biggest challenge to his Jiu-Jitsu skills yet when he faces Nate Marquardt at the Rose Garden in Portland, Ore. Saturday night. Afterall, Marquardt did reach the level of black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2004. Even so, Maia believes there’s a difference between his opponent’s knowledge of the mixed martial art and his own. Keep reading »

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  Gonzaga looking to add a little excitement to his game

  By Andy Samuelson · August 26, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Gabriel Gonzaga’s most famous UFC moment came when his stunning high kick knocked out Mirko "Crocop" Filipovic in the first round of their bout at UFC 70. While a lot has changed for the now 30-year-old Brazilian since that April night in 2007 in Manchester, England, Gonzaga believes he’s got plenty of big moments left in him and hopes to show off the first one against Chris Tuchscherer Saturday night at UFC 102 in Portland, Ore. “I think to get back to the top you just got to go out there and train hard and hope to score a couple of exciting knockouts or submissions that brings you attention,” said Gonzaga, who brings a 10–4 mixed martial arts record into his bout at the Rose Garden Arena. Keep reading »

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  Fighter to enjoy home cage advantage back in Oregon

  By Brett Okamoto · August 26, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Evan Dunham is no stranger to mixed martial arts competition in the state of Oregon. The 27-year-old fighter who now trains for his professional f at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas was born and raised in Eugene, Ore., and had the first fight of his amateur career there — In a skating rink. Keep reading »