A clash between former UFC and Pride heavyweight champions has been agreed in principle, according to reports over the weekend.

Six-time UFC champion Randy Couture has confirmed he has verbally agreed to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 101, while representatives from Brazilian fighter Nogueira are also believed to have agreed to the huge fight.

Details of UFC 101 are yet to be announced by the UFC, although the PPV is expected to take place sometime in August.

Couture, who last fought in November losing the UFC heavyweight belt to Brock Lesnar, was initially offered a bout against Nogueira in the first-half of 2009 but declined the matchup after undergoing elbow surgery.

Couture also has an upcoming role in ‘The Expendables’ movie alongside Sylvester Stallone which is being filmed through to May.

Nogueira was last in action inside the Octagon in December, when he lost the interim championship to Frank Mir at UFC 92.

But a return at UFC 101 now seems likely, with Couture confirming to Sherdog.com ahead of a promotional trip to Germany to help promote UFC 99 that the bout was verbally agreed.

UFC 99 takes place on Saturday, June 13 and will be the UFC’s first live event from Germany. Couture was in contention to headline the card but with his movie commitments, that is now not an option.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com