UFC 74: RESPECT

UFC 74: RESPECT
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Establishments
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT

COUTURE TAKES ON GONZAGA IN FIRST TITLE DEFENSE
ST-PIERRE RETURNS TO TAKE ON KOSCHECK

Fight fans around the world watched Randy "The Natural" Couture as he dominated Tim Sylvia for five straight rounds to become the only man ever to win the UFC® World Heavyweight title three times. Seven weeks later, millions watched in awe as Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga landed a devastating knockout over Mirko "Cro Cop", one of the most skilled and feared heavyweights in the world. Having earned the respect of sports fans everywhere, both Couture and Gonzaga -- the two best heavyweights in the UFC -- will now face each other in one of the most anticipated title fights in history. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization presents UFC 74: RESPECT featuring the championship main event Couture vs. Gonzaga and the special feature Georges St-Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck, live from Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on Saturday, August 25.

"With Gonzaga coming in and beating Mirko "Cro Cop" the way he did and Randy Couture defeating Tim Sylvia the way he did makes for one of the most exciting heavyweight fights in UFC history," said UFC President Dana White. "I honestly can't remember he last time I was this excited for a heavyweight matchup -- I can't wait to see these two get in the Octagon at UFC 74."

Couture (15-8), fighting out of Las Vegas, will attempt his first successful defense of his UFC heavyweight belt. Couture electrified fight fans at UFC 68 by dominating the heavily-favored Sylvia through all five rounds to earn status as the first three-time heavyweight champion in UFC history. A fan favorite often referred to as "Captain America", Couture is one of the most respected fighters in the world today. He plans a successful title defense and a repeat performance of UFC 68 when he takes on Gonzaga at UFC 74 in his native Las Vegas.

Brazilian born Gonzaga (8-1), now fighting out of Ludlow, Mass., is the number one contender to the UFC heavyweight title. In his last UFC fight, Gonzaga destroyed one of the most feared heavyweights in mixed martial arts when he scored a first-round knockout over 2006 PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix Champion Mirko "Cro Cop". Although he holds a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Gonzaga proved at UFC 70 that he is just as deadly on his feet. He has all the respect in the world for Couture, but that will not hold him back from taking out the heavyweight champion and claiming the best for himself, his family and his nation.

In a special feature, Georges "Rush" St-Pierre will return to the Octagon™ for the first time since his unexpected loss to Matt "The Terror" Serra at UFC 69. Fighting out of Montreal, Quebec, Canada and holding a record of 13 wins and 2 losses -- the first to Matt Hughes and the second to Serra -- the former welterweight champion is anxious to deploy his explosive fighting techniques and reinstate his winning ways at UFC 74.

Koscheck, fighting out of Fresno, California. and holding a record of 11-1 is coming off a highly-regarded win over the previously undefeated Diego Sanchez at UFC 69. Koscheck is now viewed as one of the top welterweights in a fiercely competitive division and knows a win over St-Pierre puts him in line for a title shot. He is certain that he can overpower and outperform the Canadian "Phenom" at UFC 74 and move one step closer to a 170-pound championship fight.

Source Ultimate Fighting Championship Press Release