UFC
UFC 109 RESULTS: Randy Couture puts the "Stranglehold" on Mark Coleman, gets back into Light Heayvweight Title picture
Feb 7, 2010 - 1:39:42 PM UFC 109 RESULTS: Randy Couture puts the "Stranglehold" on Mark Coleman, gets back into Light Heayvweight Title picture

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

In one of the more prophetic choices of entrance song in UFC history, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture entered the Octagon on Saturday night at UFC 109 to Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold." After dominating the first round with superior striking and masterful dirty boxing in the clinch, Couture took fellow UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman to the canvas in the second round and locked on a rear naked choke, putting Coleman out cold.

Both fighters came into this one with something to prove, to show to fans everywhere that at 45 and 46 years of age, respectively, they both still had what it takes to compete with the best in this sport. For Couture, he showed exactly why he's been able to have success this late in his career, fighting his best fight in the last few years.

The rear naked choke was Couture's first submission victory in four and a half years, and the overall performance was better than any he's had since a Heavyweight Title defense over Gabriel Gonzaga in 2007. He was crisp in his striking, his dirty boxing battered Coleman against the cage, and he finished it off convincingly in the second.

For Coleman, this fight showed that the doubters were likely correct. He did not look good in any facet of the fight, getting thoroughly outclassed and looking every bit his 45 years of age. It was simply clear that Couture has consistently evolved his game throughout his career while Coleman has simply stayed the same fighter he's always been.

The impressive win vaults Couture right into the Title picture in the light heavyweight division, and a fight with perhaps the winner of Forrest Griffin vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira could be the next step for him to get another crack at the Light Heavyweight Championship he held twice before.