Couture Scores Controversial Victory Over Vera in Main Event of UFC 105

At the conclusion of the UFC's last event, which was UFC 104 on October 24th at Los Angeles, California's Staples Center, controversy surrounded the outcome of the UFC Light Heavyweight Title bout between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida. Machida was announced as the winner by unanimous decision despite overwhelming opinion amongst MMA analysts, fighters and fans that Shogun should have become the champion.

At UFC 105 on Saturday in Manchester, England, similar controversy arose once again when Randy Couture surprisingly won a unanimous decision over fellow light heavyweight Brandon Vera. All three judges scored the fight 29-28 despite the fact that Vera appeared to clearly get the better of Couture in the second and third rounds. The round that appeared to be the closest is the only one that likely should have been scored in favor of Couture.

Vera, a dangerous striker with a Muay Thai kickboxing background, knocked down Couture in the second round with a vicious body kick that was followed up by punches and knee strikes. After a brief flurry of ground and pound, the Filipino fighter toned down his aggressiveness after Couture put him in full guard, which came back to haunt him due to the decision that was made.

Vera landed another body kick in the third round that buckled his opponent and later in the round, he managed to score a takedown with thirty seconds left in the fight that resulted in Couture being mounted. After the fight was over, both fighters were interviewed and displayed admirable class in response to the decision but Vera let his frustrations be heard when he sarcastically said, "Thanks, judges!"

In the co-main event of the evening, U.K. welterweight Dan Hardy defeated American-born fighter Mike Swick by unanimous decision to earn a world title opportunity against current UFC Welterweight Champion of the World, Georges St. Pierre. UFC 105 aired Saturday night on tape delay in the United States at 8 P.M. EST on Spike TV, according to UFC.com.