Gregory Payan / AP
Randy Couture, top, in action against James Toney during a UFC heavyweight fight on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, at the TD Garden in Boston. Couture defeated Toney by first-round triangle choke.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011 | 11:38 a.m.
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Mixed martial artist Randy Couture was licensed Tuesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his April 30 light heavyweight fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.
The 47-year-old Las Vegas resident, who has won his last three fights and has a UFC record of 19-10, had to be sanctioned in Nevada because the Ontario commission requires a license from a fighter’s home state before it issues a license, said Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada commission.
“This is a bit of a strange situation,” Kizer said.
Couture, who beat boxer James Toney in August 2010 during his last fight with an arm-triangle choke in the first round, told commissioners there shouldn’t be any concerns about his health. The commission requires all fighters over the age of 35 to go through a special licensing process that includes a physical. Couture’s license is for one fight.
“I’ve been very active this last year,” Couture said via telephone. “It’s not like I have had any time off. I’m ready to compete and healthy as a horse.”
The Couture-Machida bout is on the undercard of the welterweight championship match between Georges St. Pierre and Jake Shields.
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