Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images

Randy “The Natural” Couture has captured six Ultimate Fighting Championship titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight and amassed a career that earned him induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Randy “The Natural” Couture has captured six Ultimate Fighting Championship titles at light heavyweight and heavyweight and amassed a career that earned him induction into the UFC Hall of Fame.

Just last March the former wrestling standout returned to fighting in the Octagon after a brief one-year retirement and won the UFC heavyweight title again.

Now UFC heavyweight champion Couture (15-8) faces young Brazilian firebrand Gabriel Gonzaga (9-1) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday. UFC 74: Respect will also be shown live on pay-per-view television.

So why is Couture the underdog?

When you’re 44 years old and in a sport where bone breaking, tossing bodies to the ground and kicking to the head are allowed, it’s not an exaggeration to say that perhaps MMA is the wrong sport to continue participating.

But Couture loves MMA and especially loves a challenge. And despite his advance age in a sport that has no mercy, the former apple of Washington wants another crack at some of those reckless youngsters like Gonzaga.

“That’s why I’m here. It’s about the most fun you can have,” says Couture, who trains out of Las Vegas these days. “It’s not about proving anything or winning a title. I compete because I can and love to.”

If you could think inside of Couture’s head you would probably see him pile-driving some upstart youngster and applying a variety of punches to his noggin. While some people see brutality he sees art.

“I’m still competing and it’s been a blast,” Couture says almost chuckling.

Gonzaga’s not a mean person. In fact, the Brazilian seems humbled to enter the ring against a fighter as venerated as the UFC heavyweight champion. But he wants that title that’s wrapped around Couture’s thick waist.

“I don’t see weaknesses but I will do my best,” says an extremely polite Gonzaga who comes from the favelas of Rio de Janiero.

Don’t be fooled.

Against another legendary MMA fighter named Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, Brazil’s Gonzaga kicked him so hard the stripes in his shorts seemed to come off and the former Croatian anti-terrorist expert literally lay on the canvas with his knee contorted in a gruesome fashion. The referee took one look at Filipovic’s leg and gasped.

Luckily the fighter known as Cro Cop emerged quite unharmed except for a possible concussion suffered by the leg kick delivered by the Brazilian built like a fire hydrant.

Most that witnessed the huge upset were amazed save Couture. He had predicted that Gonzaga’s multi-faceted fighting prowess could prevail and it did.

“Gabriel is a well-rounded opponent,” Couture says unabashedly. “I think it’s going to be a very tough fight.”

The heavy-set Gonzaga at more than 260 pounds and centered in Brazilian jujitsu presents a quagmire for any opponent attempting to dissect his style and direction. He can beat you on the ground or beat you up. Since coming to the U.S. to train, Gonzaga’s received excellent tutoring on fighting on his feet.

At one time Gonzaga thought only about bludgeoning his opponent and forcing him to the ground. Those days are gone now.

“I think a little bit now. He has more experience than me in the cage,” says Gonzaga about Couture.

Come fight night, will experience beat rabid youth?

More news

Lm Otero / AP file

Should parents let kids play?

  The NFL's head injury issues are causing some parents of youth and high school football players to rethink whether football is safe enough for their children.

Focus on safety in youth, high school football

A few years ago, Omaha businessman Larry Hagan was watching a news report on concussions in high school sports and decided to do something.

CFT: Miami says it's 'committed to the ACC'

Headlines

• Label

5 heavyweight fights top UFC 146 card

Chandler: Motorcycles flying over MMA fighters? Yes!

Days after deaths, another crowd attempts Everest

NJ to defy federal ban, will allow sports betting

Alabama wins first NCAA women's golf title

Off the Bench: This is world's most marketable?

Mich school honors late hoops star at graduation

Castrodale: Don't call us tomboys anymore