MMA News: Randy Couture Wins at UFC 74: Respect

Randy Couture kept his UFC title on August 25. (MMAweekly.com Photo)

"The Natural" has done it again.

UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture (16-8-0) retained his title on August 25 at UFC 74: Respect, defeating Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga (8-2-0) by TKO in the third round.

Before the fight, Couture had promised to keep up a blistering pace and force Gonzaga to quit, and that is exactly what he did. Forcing "Napao" into the fence, Couture punished his opponent with hard punches and slams throughout the fight. Finally, after three rounds of abuse, Gonzaga fell to the mat where the referee was forced to stop the fight due to unanswered blows from the champion. Now, mixed martial arts fans everywhere are wondering if anyone can take the title from Couture.

Former welterweight champion Georges "Rush" St. Pierre (14-2-0) also looked impressive, out-wrestling Josh Koscheck (9-2-0) en route to a unanimous decision victory. Although the four-time All-American was a much more dedicated wrestler coming into the match, St. Pierre totally outmanouvered him at every turn, keeping "K-os" on his back throughout the three-round fight.

Official Results for UFC 74: Respect
August 25, Las Vegas, Nevada

• Couture def. Gonzaga by TKO at 1:37 R3
• Georges St. Pierre def. Josh Koscheck by unanimous decision
• Roger Huerta def. Alberto Crane by TKO at 1:50 R3
• Joe Stevenson def. Kurt Pellegrino by unanimous decision
• Patrick Cote def. Kendall Grove by TKO at 4:25 R1
• Frank Mir def. Antoni Hardonk by kimura at 1:17 R1
• Renato Sobral def. David Heath by anaconda Choke at 3:30 R2
• Thales Leites def. Ryan Jensen by armbar at 3:47 R1
• Clay Guida def. Marcus Aurelio by split decision

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