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Randy Couture the underdog for UFC 74

For immediate release August 23, 2007
by Rob Gerein

UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture will defend his title against Gabriel Gonzaga in the main event at UFC 74 in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Couture is currently the underdog heading into the mixed martial arts (MMA) event, according to odds posted at betED.com. Couture is a +115-moneyline dog to successfully defend his title, while Gonzaga is a -135 favorite.

After coming out of retirement in January, Couture, 44, challenged then-champion Tim Sylvia for the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 68 in March. Couture defeated Sylvia by unanimous decision to claim his third UFC heavyweight title. Couture's first punch, eight seconds into the bout, sent the 6-ft. 8-in. Sylvia to the mat.

Gonzaga defeated Mirko Filipovic at UFC 70 to earn the right to fight Couture for the heavyweight title. With an overall MMA record of 9-1-0, Gonzaga made his UFC debut at UFC 56, knocking out Kevin Jordan.

Gonzaga is favored not just because of his record, but also because he is 16 years younger and 20 pounds heavier than Couture.

Other bouts on the main card at UFC 74: Respect include former UFC and TKO Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre taking on Josh Koscheck in his first fight since losing his title to Matt Serra at UFC 69.

betED.com has St. Pierre heavily favored at -250 while Koscheck is +200.

The card will also feature former heavyweight champion Frank Mir battling K-1 veteran Antoni Hardonk, and The Ultimate Fighter 2’s Welterweight champ Joe Stevenson taking on Kurt Pellegrino, who has won his past three fights with first round submissions.

Other fighters at UFC 74 include The Ultimate Fighter 3’s winner, Kendall Grove, and PRIDE veteran Marcus Aurelio making his UFC debut.

UFC 74 is scheduled to begin at 10 pm ET on Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The event is available on pay-per-view.

Check out betED.com for UFC 74 lines.

betED's UFC Betting Lines