Randy Couture vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Will Not Happen In First Half of 2009

Josh Gross from SI.com (link below) revealed earlier today that Randy Couture was offered a fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira earlier in the week, but was forced to decline.

The article reveals that UFC President Dana White offered Couture the fight on Wednesday, but Couture said that he had to pass, at least for now. The fight was slated to take place in the first half of 2009.

Couture revealed that a pair of extremely large bone spurs were removed from his left elbow on Thursday. Randy apparently aggravated the injury in the lead-up to his fight with Brock Lesnar in November.

Couture will be spending the first half of 2009 rehabbing his elbow and filming his part in "The Expendables". "The Natural" contends that he certainly wants to fight Nogueira, but that now is not the time.

A Couture / Nogueira fight is a natural fit for both fighters. Both are in the twilight of their careers, and both are still extremely popular with fans.

This is a fight that will almost certainly take place, but likely in the fall or winter of 2009.

Source: Sports Illustrated - Couture declines Nogueira fight to rehab elbow

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