On This Day in 2007: MMA Legend Upset the Odds By Defending His UFC Title at the Age of 44

On this day in 2007, the MMA world witnessed one of the most unforgettable moments in heavyweight history. At 44 years old, UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture defied the odds by dominating Gabriel Gonzaga to retain his belt via 3rd round TKO in the main event of UFC 74.

Going into this matchup it felt like a nightmare for Couture to deal with. Gonzaga was everything Randy traditionally struggled with: a younger, bigger, stronger grappler with plenty of power. 

The Brazilian was riding a four-fight UFC win streak, all by finish, and had just shocked the world by knocking out Mirko Cro Cop with a head kick, which just so happened to be Cro Cop’s own signature weapon. For context, Cro Cop had recently arrived in the UFC as the reigning 2006 PRIDE openweight Grand Prix champion, having beaten legends such as Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett in the same night. Many expected Cro Cop to storm through the UFC and claim gold, but Gonzaga derailed those plans in brutal fashion.

That’s what made this fight so dangerous. Couture, meanwhile, was fresh off a shocking comeback of his own. After retiring, he returned to the Octagon earlier that year and immediately captured the heavyweight belt from Tim Sylvia. While Sylvia’s 6’8” frame was imposing, Couture’s experience, will to win and all-round better technique saw him claim victory. But Gonzaga was said to be a whole different problem for the American.

On This Day at UFC 74: MMA Legend Randy Couture Upset the Odds to Retain His Heavyweight Title At the Age of 44

From the opening bell, Randy used his signature dirty boxing, clinch work, and relentless pressure to smother Gonzaga. In the first round, Couture even slammed Gonzaga so hard that he broke his nose. Gonzaga fired back with powerful kicks, one of which actually broke Randy’s arm, but “The Natural” just kept plodding forward.