UFC 49: Four Titles For Randy Couture

Randy "The Natural" Couture (Photo: lowkickmma.com)

UFC 49: Unfinished Business – Las Vegas, Nev. – MGM Grand Arena - Aug. 21, 2004

Randy Couture collected his fourth career UFC title by defeating Vitor Belfort at UFC 49.

This was a rematch from UFC 46, where the doctor stopped the fight due to a cut on Couture’s eye after just 49 seconds of action.

Belfort defended the title, and this time the doctor determined that he had taken enough punishment. At least the fans got three full rounds of action.

Couture, 41, earned his second UFC light heavyweight title to go with his two heavyweight titles.

In other action, Chuck Liddell built on his win over Tito Ortiz at UFC 48 by knocking out Victor White at the 4:05 mark.

“The Soul Assassin” David Terrell made an impressive Octagon debut, knocking out former middleweight title challenger Matt “The Law” Lindland in 24 seconds.

In other pay-per-view bouts, Justin Eilers knocked out childhood friend Mike Kyle in 74 seconds; and Joe Riggs elbowed Joe Doerksen into submission in Round 2.

Yves Edwards knocked out Josh “The Punk” Thomson in a preliminary fight. The “Thug-Jitsu Master” hit a flying head kick and followed up with punches to win at the 4:32 mark.

This was the last lightweight bout in UFC for a year and a half.

In the other prelim fights, Karo Parisyan beat Nick Diaz by split decision; and Chris “Lights Out” Lytle beat Ronald Jhun with a guillotine choke in Round 2.