Dana confirms Couture is firmly in the light heavyweight title picture

UFC President, Dana White has confirmed that “Hall of Famer” Randy Couture is defiantly in the light heavyweight title picture following his second round submission win over Mark Coleman last night in Las Vegas at UFC 109.

Speaking at the post fight press conference, Dana said:

“There's some unfinished business in the light heavyweight division. We've got to do Rashad and Rampage. We've got to do the Machida and 'Shogun' fight, and Randy falls in the middle of that whole mess somewhere. We'll see what happens. I've got to see what happens with the next couple fights.”

“The thing about Randy Couture is that he's a smart guy. He's a smart guy when it comes to fighting. He saw an opportunity (in 2007) at the heavyweight division after he lost to Chuck (Liddell) twice. He knew that heavyweight division was weak. When he saw that Tim Sylvia ... (vs.) Jeff Monson mess, he was sitting home on his couch.”

“Now, [Couture] belongs in the light-heavyweight division. This is heavyweight division is sick. All these guys are monsters. They're all sick. And Randy Couture fits very nicely in 205 now.”

“I personally think this guy is one of the best light heavyweights in the world. He’s in the mix. He’s in the mix with the top five guys who can fight any of those guys at any time. It’s just going to be a matter of timing now. He’s one of the best light heavyweights in the world right now. He’s only lost twice at this weight category.”

Couture may have to fight one more time before getting his shot at the title with the bouts between Machida and Rua and Jackson and Evans taking place in close proximity during the month of May. With Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Jon Jones set to compete in separate fights in the upcoming months, maybe one of those men lies in the future of “The Natural”.

By Michael Pepper. (Follow me on Twitter)