“If I got a shot at [Lyoto] Machida for the title, that would be great, but whatever happens I’m just looking for interest fights and there are a lot of other interesting fights.”

Obviously at the twilight of his career, the notion of “interesting fights” appears to be prominent on Couture’s agenda. When asked about the shift between the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions and the related rigors of weight cutting, he noted that it wasn't a major issue for him.

“I’ll just fight at whatever weight class that will make for an interesting fight," says Couture. "I weighed in at 220 for my fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and I was 217 this morning before practice. I have a lot of experience cutting weight, and there were times in my wrestling career when I cut a lot of weight. So I’m familiar with what it takes, and it’s kind of a routine.

“I’ve cut to 205 pounds plenty of times and it’s not a problem," he continued. "I can go either way. It’s not like I’m cutting much weight or changing my body drastically to make 205. That’s not a huge issue for me.”

While some superstar fighters are hesitant to fight overseas or to have their bouts broadcast on Spike TV instead of pay-per-view, The Natural expressed no such concerns.

“I’m excited about going to Manchester [England]. They have a great crowd there. I’ve heard the fight’s already sold out, and that’s going to make it a lot of fun,” stated the former champion.

His sentiments were similar with respect to the Spike TV broadcast.

“I know the UFC will take care of me so I’m not terrible worried about that [pay-per-view bonuses]. It all comes out in the wash because I’m satisfied and the UFC is satisfied,” he explained.

Despite a storied and expansive career, Couture mentioned a first with respect to this coming bout.

“My son Ryan will accompany me as one of my corner men for this fight… He’s never cornered me before. He’s been to most of my fights, maybe even all of them, but this will be his first time cornering me.”

The Natural is excited for this father and son experience as well as the prospects for young Ryan’s career, stating, “It’s going well. In his last fight he [Ryan] won with a first-round armbar, and he’s going to take a little time off, probably through the holidays, and then get a few more amateur fights and then look at stepping up to the pros.”

When asked about the defection of Shawn Tompkins from Xtreme Couture to the TapouT Research & Development Training Center, the former champion only had well wishes for his former trainer and corner man.