BIG HIT ... Nogueira lands a brutal left on Couture
ANTONIO RODRIGO NOGUEIRA dominated gutsy Randy Couture to earn a much-needed unanimous decision victory at UFC 102.
The 33-year-old Brazilian added the scalp of The Natural, 46, to his growing list of impressive scalps in the main event of the UFC's first-ever card in Portland.
Middleweight Nate Marquardt and light-heavyweight Thiago Silva also scored quick-fire victories over Demian Maia and Keith Jardine respectively.
Results at a glance:
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira defeated Randy Couture via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Thiago Silva defeated Keith Jardine via KO (punch) at 1:35, round one
Jake Rosholt defeated Chris Leben via submission (arm triangle choke) at 1:30, round three
Nate Marquardt defeated Demian Maia via KO at :21, round one
Brandon Vera defeated Krzystztof Soszynski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Aaron Simpson defeated Ed Herman via TKO (injury) at :17, round two
Gabriel Gonzaga defeated Chris Tuchscherer via TKO (strikes) at 2:27, round one
Mike Russow defeated Justin McCully via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 30-27)
Todd Duffee defeated Tim Hague via KO at :07, round one Mark Munoz defeated Nick Catone via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Evan Dunham defeated Marcus Aurelio via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Fighter awards and bonuses:
Fight of the Night: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Randy Couture
Knockout of the Night: Nate Marquardt Submission of the Night: Jake Rosholt
Each fighter receives $60,000 on top of their fight purse.
Attendance at the Rose Garden Arena: 16, 088
Gate receipts: $1.92million
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