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HISTORY: Randy "The Natural" Couture vs. Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell is a mixed martial arts trilogy. All three fights took place under Ultimate Fighting Championship in the United States. All three fights have ended in knockout and have been for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. At the first meeting at UFC 43, Couture won by technical knockout at 2:40 in the third round. By this victory he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. The second time, after The Ultimate Fighter 1, at UFC 52, Liddell won by knockout at 2:06 in the very first round. At the third and final match-up Liddell once again won, making it 2–1 for himself, by KO at 1:28 in the second round.
After months of failed negotiations, the UFC created an interim light heavyweight title to be fought for in June 2003 at UFC 43 in an effort pressure Tito Ortiz to return and defend his title. As a special attraction for the fans, the UFC decided to have Randy Couture move down from heavyweight to light heavyweight and face Chuck Liddell for the interim belt. The bout was held on June 6, 2003 in Las Vegas. Many believed Liddell would easily defeat Couture and eventually face Ortiz to unify the title. Couture was a heavy underdog going into the fight with critics citing his age and recent losses at heavyweight. In what was a shock to the MMA world, Couture neutralized Liddell's powerful hooks with straight punches and eventually began taking him down at will. Couture eventually gained full mount and forced a referee stoppage due to punches at 2:39 of round 3. With this victory, Couture earned the nickname "Captain America" and became the first MMA fighter to win a professional title in another weight class. Liddell would leave to represent the UFC in the Japanese Pride Fighting Championships. and would not fight again in the UFC for nearly a year.
Offered here is an original Press Credential for this event.
FULL DESCRIPTION: This is an original Press Credential which names and pictures both fighters. Bold color and print. Bold, clear images. Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. Two holes atop for neck chain. 4 1/4" x 7 1/2."
