Randy Couture vs Chuck Liddell at UFC 99?

Michael Rome of Bloodyelbow.com (link below) is reporting that there is a strong chance of Chuck Liddell moving to heavyweight to do battle with Randy Couture in 2009. Negotiations are apparently ongoing, with the proposed fight taking place on June 13th in Cologne, Germany.

According to the article, the UFC wants to have Randy Couture on the show due to the fact that he speaks German. Some (including myself) were anticipating that a Liddell/Couture fight would be a perfect fit for the big UFC 100 show that is scheduled to take place in the summer, however it appears as though the plans are for a Liddell/Couture fight at UFC 99.

The plan would be to give the winner of Liddell/Couture 4 a shot at the UFC heavyweight title.

This fight (if it happens) makes sense for a lot of reasons:

1. Couture and Liddell are two very marketable names. This PPV would sell itself and do very well.

2. Couture and Liddell are both currently rudderless and in need of a big fight.

3. There is history between the two fighters (three previous fights, both were coaches on the first season of the Ultimate Fighter). Again, this PPV sells itself.

Throw in the added stipulation of the winner getting a shot at the heavyweight title, and you have a sure recipe for success.

Couture has stated that he wishes to remain in in the heavyweight division and not move down to light heavyweight. Chuck Liddell can easily move up to heavyweight, as he needs to cut substantially to make 205 anyways.

The UFC isn't going to waste Liddell or Couture in fights against lower-rung opponents in an effort to build them up to title contender status. These guys both have limited shelf lives at this point, and the UFC will only put them in marquee match-ups.

There were rumors of a potential Anderson Silva / Chuck Liddell fight over the past couple of weeks. The UFC may have seen the buyrate that the Silva/Cote PPV did and decided against it. Liddell/Couture makes more sense, especially if you are throwing in a title shot. Assuming that Lesnar is still the champion at that point - Couture/Lesnar II or Liddell/Lesnar would both be monstrous draws.

Liddell is 2-1 against Couture in his career. Couture won the first fight between the two at UFC 43 - Meltdown, but then Liddell came back to win at UFC 52 and UFC 57.

This would be a great fight, and let's just hope that the UFC can make this happen.

It also makes you wonder - if Liddell/Couture takes place at UFC 99, then what will Dana White and the UFC have in mind for the main event of UFC 100?

Source: Bloodyelbow.com

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