UFC 46: Super Natural, Couture vs. Belfort for LHW Belt

[Hibbert]

COUTURE TO DEFEND LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST BELFORT AT UFC 46: SUPER NATURAL, JAN. 31, IN LAS VEGAS

Live Event Tickets Go On Sale Saturday, November 15, at Mandalay Bay, Ticketmaster For Ultimate Fighting Championship Super Bowl Weekend Show

LAS VEGAS, November 12, 2003….The hardest hits on Super Bowl weekend might not be heard in Houston, but in Las Vegas when new Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture defends his title for the first time against Brazilian phenom Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC 46: Super Natural, LIVE on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST, Saturday, Jan. 31, at Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Live event tickets, $350, $250, $150, $75 and $35, will go on sale at 10 a.m. PST, Saturday, November 15, at the Mandalay Bay Events Center box office in Las Vegas, at all Ticketmaster locations, www.ticketmaster.com, and www.mandalaybay.com. Tickets also may be ordered by telephone at 1-877-632-7400 or 1-702-474-4000. Ticket purchases are limited to eight per transaction and are subject to transaction fees. UFC 46: Super Natural will be available on pay-per-view on iNDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, TVN, Echostar, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada. The suggested retail price is $29.95.

Couture (12-5-0 in mixed martial arts) of Portland, Ore., the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion, has been unstoppable in the light heavyweight division since he dropped a weight class in June and defeated then number one contender Chuck Liddell by technical knockout to capture the interim championship at UFC 43: Meltdown in Las Vegas. He followed with an even more impressive defeat of Tito Ortiz by unanimous decision in five rounds to capture the light heavyweight crown outright at UFC 44: Undisputed September 21 at Mandalay Bay. Couture, 40, is the only fighter in the UFC’s 10-year history to capture championships in two different weight divisions.

Belfort (11-3-0) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is one of the world’s top-rated light heavyweight fighters. He is coming off a dominating performance at UFC 43: Meltdown where he defeated Marvin Eastman by technical knockout in just 1:10 of the first round. But, he and Couture have met before. Belfort’s mastery of jiu jutsu and his lightning quick hands established his reputation early on. He exploded on the scene in 1997 at just 19, dazzling fans and opponents alike with his furious hands and punching power. He won his first three fights with devastating punches, including a 53 second knockout of Tank Abbott. Then at UFC 15: Collision Course, October 17, 1997, in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, he met Couture in a fight often regarded as one of the best in UFC history. After 8:17 of knees and punches, Couture won by knockout. Belfort says he has waited six years for a re-match and vows a different result this time. Couture counters that the light heavyweight division suits him well and says he won’t be giving up the belt any time soon. The remainder of the eight-fight card will be announced.

[just Brian]

I wonder if the nightmares have started for Belfort yet?

[robbypark]

Belfort better train like he's never trained before if he wants even a fleeting hope of beating Randy Couture.

As long as Randy doesn't take Vitor too lightly, I see a another W for his win column.

[just Brian]

http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/pictures/CoutureDefBelfort_TKO.jpg

:twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

[D241]

no matter who wins, it should be a good event.

[shayne]

I can't wait!!! It should be interesting to see how Vitor deals with Couture when he knows exactly what Randy is going to try and do.

[Tony Montana]

I'll guess Couture to be a 3 to 1 favorite. But I'm cheering for Vitor. Did anyone read the article on InsideFighting.com, "I need a hero"? It basically says that Vitor could be the man to bring MMA to the American mainstream. I agree. The average American will only get excited about spectacular knockouts. Vitor can provide that. Plus he's got the youth and looks to market.

[Ring Girl]

GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY!

:D


I booked my hotel room the other day and I'm buying my tickets Sat. morning -- can't wait!!!!

[just Brian]

GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! GO RANDY! :D

Please, don't beat around the bush here. Really, be clear this time and tell us who you want to win. :?

[Borat]

I played craps with Randy Couture in Vegas last year when the last UFC was at MGM Grand.

The guy is cool as sh*t and he has these hands that are frickin giant.

When you see the cauliflower ears up close...it's pretty scary to think of the wars he's been through.

I hope he smokes Vitor something wicked. Hell...Randy beat Vitor by KO way back in the day at UFC. Wasn't that like 1997?

He'll do it again in 2004.

[claymore]

Go Vitor!!! Do it for me buddy!

[robbypark]

Vitor better forget about the fact that he has a supermodel wife with DD breasts and start training his ass off!!

Seriously, I think that's been his problem. He has an UNBELIEVABLY hot wife currently and that's what's deterring his progress as an MMA fighter. If you see pictures of her, you'll see what I mean.

[Cbear]

Robby if Vitor loses a few more fights he won't have to worry about that trophy wife hanging around.

Randy all the way! Vitor has plenty of time to be champ when he is 40. Its Randys time now.

[D241]

Someone please post a picture of Vitors wife.Clothing is an option.

[holycowe]

There's an article on Las Vegas Review Journal (daily newspaper) today.

Randy & Victor will be the main event at UFC 45 on super bowl weekend.
The primary undercard bout features welterweight champion Matt Hughes defending his title against BJ Penn, who's moving up from lightweight. The bout is pending Hughes's title defense Nov. 21 against Frank Trigg.
Also White said longtime rivals Tito and Chuck will meet in march in vegas.

[Ring Girl]

The guy is cool as sh*t and he has these hands that are frickin giant.

I'll agree with both those assessments -- Randy is super nice in person and shaking hands with him is like putting it in a vice grip.


The primary undercard bout features welterweight champion Matt Hughes defending his title against BJ Penn, who's moving up from lightweight.

I heard this same thing the other day from someone who knows BJ - sounds like it's for real if/when Hughes beats Trigg..

[TheRockSays]

Go Vitor!!!

I hope BJ Penn moves up and pulls a Dennis Hallman on Big Matt :lol:

[2Easy]

Ha. Vitor takes this one. Revenge is a bitch.

Also, Cbear, you really think his wife will leave because he loses? :roll: I hope you're kidding.

Randy's had a good run...

[just Brian]

I'm curious, what does this New Vitor have that the Old Vitor didn't; that Randleman, Rizzo, Chuck, Tito, and Smith didn't.

Again, what is it that the New Vitor has, that's going to beat Randy. Randy has constantly improved, and I suspect is the best he's ever been. Vitor has improved too...improved his tan and hair cut.

[kai]

Randy's going to beat Vitor just as bad as he did the first time. Vitor's power is his striking ability and Randy is no slouch at striking either.

I see a vicious grond and pound victory for Randy.

[cyonbloodbane]

hey what happens, I don't check in for a couple of weeks and I get bounced out??? well I gotta get in on this,

I predict it will be a win for Randy, but not easily, maybe 2nd round stopage.

[Jayhova]

I hope Vitor Belfort wins it's better for the sport, You'll have a more explosive fight when Vitor clashes with Tito next. If Randy couture wins and there's a rematch between him and tito, it's going to be a boring wrestling match.

I would also like to see Rampage come to the UFC, that will do so much for the sport.


My heart is with Vitor all the way! :D

[prophecy]

It hope Vitor wins but I don't think he can beat a good wrestler like Randy Couture.

[Ring Girl]

Just bought my tickets for this show this morning! Woohoo! GO RANDY!

[robbypark]

Just bought my tickets for this show this morning! Woohoo! GO RANDY!

awesome! How are the seats?

[Cbear]

2 Easy, I was a little harsh on Vitors wife with my comment of her as a trophy wife. Fame and celebrity is fleeting and many marriages do not survive the downward spiral. Perhaps Vitor will never have this worry, I hope so.

As to the article on Vitor being the hero to take MMA to mainstream popularity, two things. Tony is the biggest mark for Vitor on Earth :lol: And if you read this Tony, you know I'm right and mean this will all possible humor. Secondly, Vitor didn't break MMA open to the masses 5 years ago so I don't see how he will do so now. Tito and Frank haven't done it either. Thus far, the most marketable faces UFC has, have not made a dent in mainstream at all. Tony might be right that a larger than life character will break MMA wide open, but the comparison to boxing and Tyson is flawed from the perspective that boxing has always been widely accepted and just needed a new face to rally behind. MMA in the U.S. is barely tolerated, much less widely accepted.

[Cbear]

Cyon, this is a new board thus the re-registering. Welcome back.

[Ring Girl]

Thank you Cbear for the comments about Vitor breaking open MMA to the masses. Right on the button.

I think Tony's getting money from Vitor under the table. ;)


awesome! How are the seats?

We bought floor seats. :D :D :D

Gotta see Randy retain his title up close!!!

[grapplingengineer]

RG, all I can say is "Luuuuuuuckieeeee"!

CBear, way to be humble about Vit's wife, man. I think we know what you mean, but then again maybe she has a good heart. Hopefully, cuz I like Vit and think he deserves good thing to come his way...

But not the Title! Just yet!
I haven't seen alot of the "new" Vitor (cuz his fights are so short!), but he seems more mature, wiser, more patient, and equally as skillfully dangerous as he was in the old days when he won our hearts (if I can put it that way; I'm married so calm down). Plus, we know he's a great BJJ artist. I'm not saying he can or will beat Randy, I'm saying to me he's more dangerous than ever before.

[Ring Girl]

RG, all I can say is "Luuuuuuuckieeeee"

All I can say is: I'mmmmm broooooooke noooooow! ;)

That's okay Randy and Team Quest are worth going broke over in my book! :D

[DaBigHurt]

Someone please post a picture of Vitors wife.Clothing is an option.[img]

I have a pic of vitor's wife but i dont know how to post it...[/url]

[Ring Girl]

You can always just go to her website -- http://www.joanaprado.com

[Brazuca]

"CBear, way to be humble about Vit's wife, man. I think we know what you mean, but then again maybe she has a good heart. Hopefully, cuz I like Vit and think he deserves good thing to come his way...".
Actually, Victor is the prize husband (if we were to keep on the harshness side :lol: ): his wife (Joana Prado, if you're interested) is better known than him in Brazil and makes more money than her prize husband.... She does that without the hassle of taking punches on the way through... :D

[robbypark]

Someone please post a picture of Vitors wife.Clothing is an option.[img]

I have a pic of vitor's wife but i dont know how to post it...[/url]

paste the url of the picture in between the Img tags.

[littlechamp1]

I'm sick of hearing about how good couture is, i hope belfort dominates that loser. couture sucks, rampage rules.

[Cbear]

Little Champ, please fill us in on your opinions. Why is Randy a loser? Why does Randy suck? Why does Rampage rule?

We all like and dislike certain fighters, but its much more interesting when we build a case for our opinions rather than just nail them.

[just Brian]

I'm sick of hearing about how good couture is, i hope belfort dominates that loser. couture sucks, rampage rules.

Tito? Is that you?

[Ring Girl]

I'm sick of hearing about how good couture is, i hope belfort dominates that loser. couture sucks, rampage rules.

Yeah, Randy's really shown himself time and time again to be a loser, throughout his career...I mean he was only USA Senior Greco-Roman champion THREE times? And NCAA Division I all-American THREE times? Really, I'm just not impressed.

:shock:

[Brazuca]

I'm sick of hearing about how good couture is, i hope belfort dominates that loser. couture sucks, rampage rules.

Tito? Is that you?
ROTFLMAO