Next up is the main event, for the UFC heavyweight championship. Anyone who follows mixed martial arts knows the story behind this one: Randy "The Natural" Couture, the UFC Hall of Famer, is coming out of retirement.

The Gresham, OR native twice held both the heavyweight and light heavyweight championships in his storied career. But the three-time NCAA wrestling All-American at Oklahoma State and former Olympic Greco-Roman alternate retired last year after losing to Chuck Liddell in the main event of UFC 57.

But he's back, at age 43, and challenging "The Maine-iac" Tim Sylvia for the heavyweight title. The 6-foot-8 Sylvia, from Ellsworth, Maine has become one of the biggest stars in the sport in amassing a 22-2 record. But he's earned the fans' wrath in his second title reign by going into defensive mode and making his opponents come after him. It has been effective, but not exactly exciting.

Couture comes out to Aerosmith's Back in the Saddle and gets a solid ovation from the crowd. The lights go down, and the crowd boos the sounds of Sylvia's music as he makes a slow stroll to the octagon.

The Natural gets a big ovation to his introduction. Sylvia gets a mixed response.

Big John McCarthy is your referee.

Round 1: Couture feigns left and drops Sylvia with a tremendous right to the jaw. The crowd goes insane. Couture follows with a series of rights, picks him up and takes him to the mat, and tries to sink in a rear naked choke. Sylvia breaks it, but they're on the ground with Couture over Sylvia's back. Couture working underneath with his legs scissored around Sylvia's midsection. Couture isn't getting much more than an occasional punch in from the bottom. Sylvia is doing nothing but sitting on Couture. With under two minutes left, the crowd gets antsy for a standup, but McCarthy does nothing. Couture trying to sink in a choke with about 30 seconds left. Sylvia does his best to hold him off. Round 1 goes to Couture, Sylvia gets up and almost goes back to the wrong corner. Big ovation for Couture.

Round 2: First minute spent largely circling, with Couture trying to stay out of range, but occasionally coming in close. Couture connects with a right, then they clinch and end up along the fence, switching positions occasionally. Couture takes Sylvia down and is picking his spots, with Sylvia going into his guard. With about two minutes left, Couture gets up, as Sylvia stays down, but Sylvia's long legs keep Couture from doing much damage. Couture back in the mount. Sylvia gives Couture a snide smile and Couture pops him with a right. McCarthy orders a restart with 30 seconds left, which the crowd boos. Sylvia has a bloody nose. Sylvia goes for a knee in the clinch, but Couture grabs the leg, and scores a takedown as the round ends. Round 2 to Couture. Another big ovation for Couture. The crowd is beginning to sense that they might be witnessing something they'll remember for the rest of their lives.

Round 3:  The crowd is amped as the round begins. Couture appears to be breathing heavy. Couture is clearly not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the champ, and it appears Sylvia wasn't expecting this. Sylvia connects with  a jab, but Couture responds with a right cross. Couture continues to patiently stalk Sylvia, connecting and then getting out of range. A big "Randy" chant in the crowd. Couture connects with a big right, Sylvia is showing very little. They keep it standing up this round. Couture taking it to Sylvia, Sylvia yet to connect on anything that's really affected his foe. One minute left, Sylvia controlling the positioning. Couture continues to dart in and out of range. Couture misses with a wild right. He connects with a right and backs Sylvia up. He connects with another right. Sylvia connects with a combo. Another big ovation. That's three rounds for Couture. The UFC's Eddie Bravo also has all three for Couture.

Round 4: Sylvia is going to have to start taking some chances if he wants to hang on to the belt. After a quick exchange, Couture goes for a double-leg takedown and Sylvia sprawls to avoid, but Couture sticks with it and gets the takedown on the second attempt. Sylvia's got his guard cinched tight, and Couture is going to have a hard time scoring strikes to the head from his position. McCarthy orders a re-start with 2:30 left in the round. Sylvia's right eye is swelling. Couture with a couple big rights. Couture scores another takedown. He nearly gets side control and scores a knee to the side. With 45 seconds left, Couture gets in the mount. Sylvia rolls out and gets standing position on Couture. They get up with 10 seconds left. Round 4 to Couture.

Round 5: Sylvia is going to have to finish Couture off if he wants to hang on to the belt. Everyone in the arena is on their feet. Couture doesn't need to finish off Sylvia to win this. Couture shoots for a takedown, doesn't get it as Sylvia backs him into the fence, but Couture again sticks with it and gets the second-chance takedown. Sylvia tries to go for a leglock, but Couture gets out of it and assumes side control. He maneuvers into the mount, Sylvia tries to get up with a minute left, but Couture scores another takedown. 30 seconds left, Sylvia can't get up and he has a look of utter defeat on his face. And the crowd is on their feet and going ballistic. 10 seconds left. That's it, the fight is over and there is a defeaning roar from the crowd.

All three judges score this 50-45 for the new UFC heavyweight champion, 43-year old Randy "The Natural" Couture.