MaxFighting has learned that UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and newly crowned UFC "interim" light heavyweight champ Randy Couture will step into the Octagon on September 26 to unify the division's title. Though Zuffa president Dana White could not comment except to say there would be an announcement on Wednesday announcing plans for the September card, it's believed that Ortiz, absent in the ring because of injury and contract squabbles since November, has signed on the dotted line following several months of contentious negotiations, which saw both sides played out in the media.
Couture, meanwhile, is the UFC's only three-time champion, having just won his light heavyweight crown on June 6 versus Chuck Liddell -- the man Ortiz was intended to face for the past two years. Speaking to Couture last night after he was on hand to corner two fighters at the King of the Cage, the "Natural" expressed excitement for the September showdown.
Ortiz's signing comes at the last minute. Just days earlier MaxFighting reported that Zuffa had called Vitor Belfort to offer him the bout versus Couture. That appears, however, to have been a back-up plan. Following further discussions between Zuffa and Ortiz's people, the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" apparently signed during the day Sunday. Terms of the deal are not known at this time.
Couture, meanwhile, is the UFC's only three-time champion, having just won his light heavyweight crown on June 6 versus Chuck Liddell -- the man Ortiz was intended to face for the past two years. Speaking to Couture last night after he was on hand to corner two fighters at the King of the Cage, the "Natural" expressed excitement for the September showdown.
Ortiz's signing comes at the last minute. Just days earlier MaxFighting reported that Zuffa had called Vitor Belfort to offer him the bout versus Couture. That appears, however, to have been a back-up plan. Following further discussions between Zuffa and Ortiz's people, the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" apparently signed during the day Sunday. Terms of the deal are not known at this time.
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