Report: Couture-Machida ‘Done Deal’ for UFC 129

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A rumored light heavyweight showdown between former champions Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida is reportedly all but official.

UFC President Dana White today told MMAFighting.com that the proposed scrap was a “done deal” for UFC 129, which takes place April 30 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Headlining the show is a welterweight title bout between longtime champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Jake Shields.

A five-time UFC champion, Couture has competed at both heavyweight and 205 pounds in his professional career. The man known as “Captain America” is currently riding a three-fight win streak, having earned victories over Brandon Vera, Mark Coleman and James Toney.

Couture sparked talk of his retirement in December by writing on Twitter that it was “time to move on,” but rumors of the Machida matchup surfaced shortly thereafter. Couture retired after losing for a second time to Chuck Liddell in 2006, but was lured back one year later by a shot at then-heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia. After taking the belt with a unanimous decision over Sylvia, Couture defended the title successfully against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74 before being dethroned by Brock Lesnar at UFC 91.

Machida won his first 16 professional contests, including an 8-0 stint inside the Octagon. “The Dragon” then knocked out Rashad Evans in the second round of their light heavyweight title fight at UFC 98 to capture the belt.

Six months later, Machida would successfully defend his title for the first time by edging out Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a controversial unanimous decision. It would be “Shogun” who got the better of the rematch, however, as the former Chute Boxe standout delivered a devastating first-round knockout to the previously unbeaten Machida and ripped the title away. Machida’s comeback fight was a disappointing one, as he was outpointed by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the main event of UFC 123.