UFC 74 - Couture vs Gonzaga & Other Fights...

Randy "The Natural" Couture will defend his heavyweight title against Gabriel Gonzaga in the main event at UFC 74. The rest of the card looks to be another ‘stacked’ affair,including a welterweight showdown between former champion Georges St Pierre and Josh Koscheck.

Speaking to Newsday, Couture confirmed that he would face Gonzaga in Las Vegas on August 25th. Gonzaga earned his title shot when he upset the odds with a stunning first round KO of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic at UFC 70: Nations Collide in Manchester. That night, Gonzaga was a huge underdog, but he upset the odds with a flawless performance. The fight ended with Cro-Cop crumbling after a perfectly delivered head kick and established Gonzaga as a live championship contender. One observer who wasn’t surprised was Randy Couture. “The Natural” was one of the few pundits who picked Gabriel Gonzaga to win and he was cage side to witness the carnage firsthand. The fight will be 43 year old Randy’s first defence of the title he won with a dazzling stand up display against Tim Sylvia.

Ultimate Fighter star Josh Koscheck revealed on his website that he has received a contract to fight Georges St Pierre on the same bill. Kos was expecting a title shot after overcoming former his house mate Diego Sanchez in a grudge match at UFC 69: Shootout. These plans were shot pieces later that evening when Matt Serra pulled off the shock of all shocks by stopping St Pierre. Although there is no belt on the line- the match will be eagerly awaited. Josh Koscheck divides opinion. His record is solid, but his brash personality and sometimes lacklustre performances mean that many fight fans are less than impressed. Former champ Georges St Pierre is rated as one of the finest all rounders in the UFC. The winner will certainly be in pole position to face whoever emerges victorious from the impending Matt Serra v Matt Hughes clash.

In another heavyweight battle, it’s former champ v former champ as Tim Sylvia takes on Frank Mir . This could be a make or break fight for both men, as the top weight division is more competitive than ever thanks to the recent arrivals from Pride. For Sylvia, a convincing performance is essential in his first fight since he was taken apart by Randy Couture. As well as losing his belt, his reputation as one of the most fearsome stand up fighters in MMA was severely dented on that memorable night in Columbus, Ohio. The two have met before, with Mir coming out on top at UFC 48: Payback courtesy of a first minute victory which left Sylvia with a broken arm. Both have suffered a number of injury problems and the fact that the Maine-iac has recently undergone back surgery must put a question mark against this bout happening.

Another Ultimate Fighter graduate will be making a return to the octagon. Lightweight Kurt Pelligrino has said he will be fighting TUF season 2 winner Joe Stevenson. Stevenson only has one loss on his UFC record, but will need to bring his A game to get past Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt Pellegrino.

The event is likely to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (capacity 17,000), the same venue as the upcoming UFC 71: Liddell vs Jackson II.