Report: Couture-Machida in Works for UFC 129

Randy Couture | Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

Multiple outlets broke word of the bout following Saturday’s UFC 125; however, a report from MMAFighting.com quotes a UFC official as saying the match is “not even close” to finalized.

Two weeks ago, Couture prompted talk of his retirement by writing on Twitter that he felt he was “at the end of it.” Shortly thereafter, the 47-year-old UFC hall of famer stated that he would still be interested in fighting Machida or current 205-pound champ Mauricio Rua.

Couture last competed in August at UFC 118, where he easily submitted former boxing champion and MMA neophyte James Toney with a first-round arm-triangle choke. The win extended Couture’s current streak to three, having also notched victories against Mark Coleman and Brandon Vera since returning to the light heavyweight division in November 2009. Last summer, “The Natural” built on his burgeoning film career with a role in the blockbuster action movie “The Expendables.”

Following a 16-0 start to his career, Machida has tasted defeat in back-to-back Octagon outings. After being violently knocked out and having his title taken by Rua in May, the Brazilian karateka dropped a close split decision to Quinton Jackson at UFC 123 in November.

UFC 129 will mark the UFC’s first trip to the Canadian province of Ontario, and will also see one of the UFC’s popular fan expos land in Toronto. The promotion has yet to officially announce any bouts for the event.