Could Couture be nearing MMA retirement?

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By Dann Stupp, Contributing Writer 8:55 PM Sunday, August 23, 2009

At this coming Saturday’s UFC 102 event in Portland, Ore., Randy Couture’s future could take one of two very different paths.

A win over fellow headliner and ex-champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will likely earn the 46-year-old a shot to reclaim the heavyweight belt. It’ll also make him the oldest competitor to win a UFC fight. A loss would knock Couture far out of title competition.

But could it mark the end of a glorious career?

In 13 of his past 14 fights, Couture (16-9) has either fought for or defended a UFC title. He’s always had meaningful fights, but that could change with a loss to Nogueira (31-5-1).

Couture, though, isn’t looking ahead any further than Saturday.

“It would be stupid to look past this fight,” he said. “That’s a surefire way to get your (butt) handed to you, frankly.”

But while retirement would seem a logical choice following a loss, Couture hinted his career will continue regardless.

“I entered (MMA) on a whim – just something I had to try, and that’s carried me down the road for the last 12 years,” Couture said. “I’m holding up very well physically, and I’m the best fighter and the best-conditioned athlete that I’ve ever been.”

“So I’m going to take it one fight at a time, just keep plugging away and keep doing what I really love to do.”

Xenia’s Brown  gets Wilks at UFC 105

Resurrecting his career after joining the world’s top organization, Xenia native Matt Brown (9-7) goes for his fourth win in five UFC fights when he meets James Wilks (6-2) at UFC 105.

The bout, reported this past week by MMAjunkie.com, takes place Nov. 14 in Manchester, England, and airs on Spike TV.

Wilks recently won the ninth season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s reality series. While “TUF” winners are usually eased into competition, the surging Brown represents a terribly difficult task for the show champion.

WEC 43 weigh-ins  open to the public

World Extreme Cagefighting, the UFC’s sister promotion, makes its Ohio debut next week when WEC 43 heads to Youngstown’s Covelli Center on Sept. 2.

Tickets to the event, which features a WEC interim lightweight title fight between Benson Henderson (9-1) and Donald Cerrone (10-1), are still available.

Weigh-ins will be free and open to the public, and take place at the Covelli Center on Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. An autograph signing and Q&A session with UFC and WEC fighters are expected to be part of the festivities.

Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of

mma

junkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.mmajunkie.com.

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