Top 5 Randy Couture UFC matches

#1 versus Vitor Belfort (UFC 15, October 17, 1997)

In the battle of UFC tournament champions, UFC 12 winner, Vitor Belfort and UFC 13 champion, Randy Couture battled in a clash to determine the number one contender to the UFC Heavyweight Championship.

The 19-year-old Belfort was the clear favourite to win after destroying all of his previous opponents in 77 seconds or less with devastating striking skill. Couture at fifteen years the senior of the Brazilian appeared to be up against it.

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Prior to the bout, however, it appeared to be Belfort who was the more nervous of the two as he stalled his entrance for an absolute age, while Couture waited for him in the Octagon. Belfort would later claim to have been unwell prior to the fight, however, regardless of what the real story was, this was another match that Couture dominated from start to finish.

After exchanging shots, Couture landed some huge uppercuts on Belfort and took over with knees for the stoppage victory.

It was one of the biggest upsets in UFC history at that point. Couture would go to defeat Maurice Smith to win the UFC Heavyweight Champion, the first of five title victories in the company. The finest victory of Couture's career is the one that kick-started it.

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Edited by Raunak J