UFC 43: Randy Couture Makes History

Chuck Liddell (left) battles Randy Couture 

(Photo: fcfighter.com)

UFC 43: Meltdown – Las Vegas, Nev. – Thomas & Mack Center – June 6, 2003

Randy Couture became the first UFC fighter to win championships in multiple weight divisions at UFC 43.

Couture, a two-time heavyweight champion, beat Chuck Liddell by TKO in Round 3 to capture the interim light heavyweight championship.

Even more impressive was the fact that Couture was a heavy underdog and almost 40 years old. Couture would face the light heavyweight champ, Tito Ortiz, at UFC 44: Undisputed.

“Tito, if you want this belt, you’re going to have to come in here and take it,” Couture said after the fight.

Ken Shamrock tried to return after his loss to Tito Ortiz, but Shamrock suffered a torn ACL. He would have to wait another year to face Kimo at UFC 48.

Speaking of Kimo, he returned after five years away from the Octagon. He beat Tank Abbott with an arm-triangle choke in just under two minutes.

Vitor Belfort landed a barrage of knees and punches to score a TKO over Marvin Eastman at the 1:07 mark.

“That was the old Vitor!” commentator Joe Rogan enthused.

Wes Sims was disqualified in his heavyweight bout with Frank Mir for kicking a downed opponent.

Vernon White replaced Shamrock and fought Ian “The Machine” Freeman to a draw.

Matt Lindland knocked himself out while throwing Falaniko Vitale to the mat in a preliminary fight, making Vitale the winner in less than two minutes.

In the other prelim bouts, Pedro Rizzo beat Tra Telligman in a bloody slugfest when the doctor stopped the fight in Round 2; and Yves Edwards beat Eddie Ruiz by unanimous decision.