“[Randy Couture] is a great guy, and it was good for me with his wrestling experience. It will help me against my next opponent…. He has a great record and deserves respect, but I think I am in the best shape of my life. I am very focused and I want to become a contender again. I believe in my skills and I am going to be one hundred percent for this fight.”

Former UFC heavyweight title contender Gabriel Gonzaga (10-4) talks to Fight! magazine about his eagerness to return to the top, whilst explaining how training with former opponent Randy Couture has helped with his preparations for the upcoming bout against Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 102, which will take place on Saturday, August 29, from the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon.

Gonzaga had been training for the fight at his usual camp with Team Link in Worcester, Massachusetts, but decided to change it up by joining with the man who defeated him at UFC 74, former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture.

Gonzaga is coming off a brutual first-round TKO loss at the hands off Shane Carwin at UFC 96 in March. Prior to the loss, he had won two straight. He sports 6-3 record during his time with the UFC, which include wins over Carmelo Marrero, Justin McCully and perhaps his biggest victory over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. All ten of his career wins have came via stopages.

Make sure to check back with us the day of the event for free, live, round-by-round coverage of UFC 102 right here at FiveKnuckles.com! Join expert analyst Mike Williams as he takes you through the entire fight card blow-by-blow and then keep it right here for all the post-fight news and notes you can handle!