A year's worth of legal battles began their conclusion with one obscene
joke by "Captain America.
"

As UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture (16-8 MMA, 13-5 UFC) today told
the crew of TAGG Radio (www. taggradio. com), the official radio partner
of MMAjunkie. com (www. mmajunkie. com), his year-long conflict with UFC
executives needed a creative solution.

"In kind of coming up with some strategies with my attorneys to open some
dialogue with the UFC, I sent (UFC President) Dana (White) a nice text,"
Couture explained. "I told him I was on [an MMA forum], and there were
some guys that were bagging on him -- no surprise there. They were saying
that he likes to eat [expletive] sandwiches.

"I told [Dana] that I stuck up for him, and that there was no way that
could be true because he doesn't even like bread.

"It's true. I sent him that text, and he texted me right back -- laughing
his ass off -- saying, 'I'd love to talk to you. We can enjoy some
[expletive] sandwiches together.' That started the whole thing.
"

Couture said the time wasted fighting opponents outside of the cage forced
him to take a different approach to a much-desired bout with WAMMA
heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

"It's been a long year," Couture admitted. "I feel like I've been toting a
black cloud around.

"I think both the UFC and myself were frustrated with the legal system and
how long things take. We were both spending a lot of money on lawyers. I
think after meeting with Fedor's people -- seeing the landscape and
everything -- and realizing it was probably going to be at least another
year of court battles and litigation and crap, it just made a lot more
sense to try and find a way to bring Fedor back to the table with the UFC.
"

While media and fans alike have constructed multiple scenarios for a
possible Couture versus Emelianenko showdown, Couture hopes it will happen
immediately following his Nov. 15 heavyweight title bout with Brock
Lesnar.

"I think both sides made some compromises," Couture said regarding the
negotiations. "Obviously [the UFC] wanted me and Fedor for more fights,
and I really only wanted the Fedor fight.

"That's the only fight that I'm looking for. I agreed to come back, fight
Lesnar, and hopefully Fedor will be the second fight in the three that I
signed for.
"

Another sticking point in the tense-negotiations between the heavyweight
champion and the UFC was the pay scale and treatment of the UFC's fighters
-- including Couture. The 45-year-old believes the organization has now
taken steps in the right direction.

"One of the things that I was recommending that [the UFC] is considering
is creating a medical board so that the 200-plus fighters that they have
under contract can submit claims for medical things," Couture explained.
"Like if we get the flu, we need stitches, any of those things that aren't
covered.

"We don't have health insurance. And [the UFC] is doing some of those
things already, but why not make it a program? Make it in some way change
public perception about who they are and what they do for the fighters.
And actually make it a process for fighters to submit a claim.

"If we're talking about buying some cold medicine, go buy some damn cold
medicine. But if you actually have some medical expenses that would
normally be covered by some kind of medical insurance that we don't have,
then maybe the UFC in their infinite wisdom could cover some of these
things. And they're considering some of those things seriously. They are
at least willing to listen to some of the issues that we have as fighters.
"

Couture said UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta's decision to take a more
active role in the organization was also a contributing factor to
Couture's return.

"Lorenzo being involved now with the company a lot more as more of an
acting CEO -- and Dana acting more as that face guy -- is nice," Couture
admitted." I think it's going to be good. [Fertitta] is obviously a very
rational, very levelheaded guy.

"Not that Dana's all that bad, but we've all seen Dana in his mode. So it
all works. I think it will work out. I'm just happy to have it over with
and be back training, and looking at something positive -- a fight.
"

That fight is a UFC 91 showdown with WWE import Lesnar.

While many have openly questioned Lesnar's qualifications for competing in
a title bout just three fights into his MMA career, Couture understands
the reasoning behind the matchup.

"I think first and foremost, the UFC -- from a business perspective -- is
looking to make big fights," Couture said. "And this brings in a whole
different viewership, a whole different demographic that maybe isn't going
to tune in and watch a UFC.
"

While neither Couture nor the UFC could claim victory in the
highly-publicized battle, the UFC heavyweight champion said he is happy
with his current position and ready to move forward.

"I think we cleared the air," Couture said. "Obviously [the UFC] didn't
come across with a big check for some of the things I think I should have
been paid for. But I think it's setup.

"I'm going to be taken care of, and I'm pretty confident in that. Can
there always be room for improvement? Absolutely. Anybody working in any
job anywhere could say, 'Oh, I wish was making 'this.'' But I think we
cleared the air on a lot of the old crap. And I'm looking forward to
moving forward positively.
"

And while change may come slowly, Couture hopes a bout with Emelianenko
will not.

"I'd rather fight Fedor sooner rather than later, but we'll see how it
works out.
"

This story, written by John Morgan, was produced by TAGG Radio (www.
taggradio. com) specially for MMAjunkie. com (www. mmajunkie. com). The
show -- which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster Frank Trigg, Gorgeous
George and ace producer Goze -- books some of the biggest names in MMA.
Download all the former episodes at www. taggradio. com, or tune into TAGG
Radio's live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.