Couture Imposes Will on Belfort, Reclaims UFC Light-Heavyweight Title

Josh GrossAug 22, 2004

The remainder of the pay-per-view portion of the card saw nothing but stoppages, submission or knockouts.

Whether the bad blood between Chuck Liddell and Vernon White was real or manufactured, it didn't matter to the punch-thirsty fans whose screams elevated with each blow, of which there were many.

In White, Liddell knew he faced a crafty fighter without the power to hurt him. In Liddell, White saw an opportunity to become a player.

Both Liddell and White have, in the past, been regarded as counter-fighters. There was little of that tonight. "The Iceman" came out angry, firing rights and lefts at White's head. Yet, there was no backing down in White, even when Liddell's power was clearly too much for him.

When the end came 4:05 of the first period after White (11-9-1) ate the last of many heavy right hands, Liddell, 14-3-0, demanded a contest versus the winner of the Couture-Belfort bout, or possibly Silva if he could get so lucky.

For his efforts, White was sent to the hospital to undergo a CAT scan.