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[WyldeSDMFER86]

From MMA Junkie

Despite a battle in the courts and a less-than-amicable split in October, Dana White isn’t giving up on Randy Couture and said he recently offered the estranged UFC heavyweight champion a fight with interim champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

White made the comments in Saturday’s post-UFC 82 press conference, which is now widely available on the web. MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) has further news from the conference available in the UFC 82 archives.

Back in October, Couture resigned from the organization 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. White has continually asserted that it was, in fact, a retirement because “you can’t resign in the middle of a contract.“

Regardless, White said that the UFC hall-of-famer isn’t being ignored and has been offered fights since the resignation/retirement. Couture, meanwhile, has said he’s willing to come back — but only if the UFC can arrange a fight with Emelianenko, who signed a non-exclusive deal with the recently restructured M-1 Global organization in late 2007.

White, though, has other intentions and wants Couture to fight Nogueira, who won the UFC’s interim title by defeating Tim Sylvia in February at UFC 81.

“We offered (Couture) the fight last week, and we’re waiting to hear back from him,” White said.

He didn’t mention a possible date or venue for the event.

White also confirmed that he had offered Couture the fight with Nogueira once before. However, Nogueira wasn’t the interim champ at the time, and he hopes that may be enough to sway Couture into returning to the ring.

The 44-year old Couture signed a four-fight, 18-month contract with the UFC in January 2007. In addition to the fight contract, Couture had previously signed an employment contract with the organization. He resigned from the UFC in October 2007, and as part of the deal, he can’t work for a rival promotion for a full year from that date.

Couture has already signed a deal with HDNet Fights that kicks into effect when his deal with the UFC retires, according to Adam Swift of Sherdog.com. Mark Cuban, the owner of HDNet Fights, filed suit against the UFC in Dallas district court last month to get a declaratory judgment concerning the contractual status of Couture.

Additionally, late last week, the UFC successfully acquired a preliminary injunction in Las Vegas District Court halting Couture’s involvement in this weekend’s IFL event. The UFC contended that it would violate a non-compete clause in Couture’s contract.

An Xtreme Couture team comprised of fighters who train at his gym were instead lead by Xtreme Couture coach Sean Tompkins and fought under the “Team Tompkins” name.

[astepawayfromx]

i really do hope that randy does the right thing here, I know he wants fedor, but would he rather never fight again than to finish out the contract that he signed? I've always been a fan of Randy's, but I'm losing more respect everytime he turns down another fight. the man works under a contract, so why can't he just honor that contract, and move on from the ufc after that if he so chooses. i know i've commented on this previously, but, at the end of the day it's showing me a real lack of honor, and is very dissapointing to me as a fan.

[Raiders18]

Please Randy, accept the fight. Fight Big Nog!

[WyldeSDMFER86]

It'd be really petty of him if did (and will) turn this down. He's basically saying Nog isnt good enough to compete with Randy by turning it down. Randy decisioned Tim, Nog subbed him. Not that that means anything as MMA math is bizarre these days. Big Bog mentioned how badly he had always wanted to fight Randy in his first interview (i think) with the UFC. Not only that, but he pleaded for Randy to fight him after the Nog-Sylvia fight. Its only fair. Nog deserves this.

Danas probably just offering it to make themselves look better in the injunction. "look we offer him fights all the time". This might all just be to burn Randy's character.

Anyone notice how smug Randy looks these days when on HDNET and the like? Maybe its just my growing disdain for the guy, but hes starting to look like a douche to me. haha

[erockomania]

He won't accept. It will drastically change the landscape for him this year if he loses. Not going to happen.

[smoogy]

More bullshit posturing from the UFC... but clearly its effective.

[jcmichaels42]

No way he'll accept. Especially not after Mark Cuban filed a lawsuit for the right to have him fight as well.

[WyldeSDMFER86]

If hes so Goddamn great, then why not fight Nog? If he were to lose to Nog it would prove he never deserved to be in there with Fedor in the first place. But if he thinks Fedor's the only challenge left, then why not beat down Nog (yeah right) and prove he deserves to fight Fedor.

By the way Fedor will put Couture away VERY early I think.

[Bran]

Originally Posted by WyldeSDMFER86

Danas probably just offering it to make themselves look better in the injunction. "look we offer him fights all the time". This might all just be to burn Randy's character.

i dont think its just character assassination. Zuffa would like nothing more than to have randy fight as their champion. no other heavyweight has the name value that randy does and they definitely want him back.

[perc10]

Deserve to be in with Fedor? WTF does that mean thers guys that lost to Nog that fought Fedor. Like fucking Long Duck Dong(I really dont know his name) and Matt Lindland were worthy though.