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.

St. Pierre vs. Koscheck
Experience versus youth is also a question for Georges St. Pierre (13-2) the former UFC welterweight champion when he faces Josh Koscheck (9-1) in a welterweight showdown. The Canadian has been at the top while the young American yearns for the opportunity.

“I’m trying to be the best fighter in the world,” says Koscheck a former wrestling star who beat Diego Sanchez in his last fight.

With his bleached curly hair Koscheck looks more like a music star than a feared MMA athlete whose ability to fight on the ground freezes opponents who prefer punching to grappling.

St. Pierre prefers punching and kicking. Koscheck loves rolling around the ground entangling opponents in a myriad of holds and chokes.

“I’ve been competing since I was four years old in wrestling,” says Koscheck, who prepared in San Jose. “I’ve been competing in thousands of wrestling matches.”

It’s what he knows and loves.

St. Pierre lost his title recently to New York’s Matt Serra. The result astonished most of the MMA world including the popular Canadian.

“I’d like to fight Koscheck because I feel he’s the number one guy,” said St. Pierre. “I know I’m better than I showed last time.”

Come Saturday even St. Pierre realizes victory is not assured against someone as talented as his opponent Koscheck.

“The way I fight Koscheck is a secret, it’s like poker, you don’t show your hand,” St. Pierre says. “I’m going to try and put him out of his comfort zone.”

Also on the talented fight card will be Roger Huerta the UFC cover guy selected for Sports Illustrated, Joe Stevenson, Patrick Cote, and Alberto Crane.

San Manuel Casino
The casino located in Highland, California is hosting an MMA card that pits Blake Fredrickson against Toby Imada and Ultimate Fighter 5 participant Gabe Rudiger opposing Canada’s George Kassamatis on Thursday Aug. 30.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Expect to see a large number of MMA stars at the event. The casino is located at the foothills below Big Bear Mountain where dozens of MMA fighters train.

For information call 800-359-2464.

Art of War 3
Jeff Monson meets Jorge Santiago in a battle of heavyweights and Jeremy Horn tangles with Pedro Rizzo in the battle between USA and Brazil at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Sept.1.

For information call 214-665-4213.

Fights coming up

• Aug. 24 – Maximum Fighting Championship “Lucky 13” at the River Cree Resort in Alberta, Canada. (780) 504-2024.
• Aug. 24 – New Breed Fighter at House of Blues in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (609) 343-5700.
• Aug. 25 – Masters of the Cage 15 at the Coca Cola Events Center in Oklahoma City. (888) 377-2229.
• Aug. 25 – Extreme Fighting International “International Beatdown” at Hippodrome in Springfield, Mass. (800) 340-3145.

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Lm Otero / AP file

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