Despite a nearly a year away from the Octagon one of the most popular fighters in UFC history will make his way back into the UFC fold despite what can only be described as a venomous recent relationship. Both Dana White - representing the UFC - and Randy Couture have traded verbal barbs over recent months and despite their cantankerous relationship "The Natural" finds himself back where he began his career - in the Octagon.

Both sides appear diplomatic despite recent disagreements and Dana White appeared happy to have the star back in the Octagon. “We had some problems with Randy, we’ve resolved them all, and he’s always been the heavyweight champion of the UFC. It took us some time to get everything straight, but I think we’re all good now and ready to move forward and get Randy back out there fighting again.”

Couture for his part was equal parts fighter and diplomat.  ”I think we cleared the air and addressed a lot of the issues, we’re both in a different place, and both the company and myself are trying to move forward,” said Couture. “I think we understand each other, and I certainly would much rather fight in the Octagon than anywhere else. Spending the last year in legal fights is not someplace where I’ve had a very good time. At 45, I can’t sit around in court rooms for very long – I want to fight.”

According to Dana White the heavyweight division will see a tournament of sorts with four men competing for the undisputed title. “The winner of the Brock (Lesnar) -Randy (Couture) fight will be the heavyweight champion of the UFC. Obviously, the reality show is already in motion, and those two (Nogueira and Mir) are already scheduled to fight, so they’ll fight for the interim (title) and then it will be Champion vs Champion when this thing’s all done. So it’s a pretty interesting little tournament.”

It is interesting that Brock Lesnar - one fight removed from a loss to Frank Mir - will fight for the heavyweight championship while Mir fights for the interim championship with Nogueira. Regardless of the politics of the match-ups, there is no question that the Couture vs. Lesnar fight will be one of the biggest fights in the history of the sport. Now with Couture back in the fold, and Tito Ortiz still in limbo, it appears that much more likely that a fighter like Ortiz could put personal feelings aside, and consumate a marriage made with dollar bills.