CINCINNATI - Randy Couture's resignation from the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn't being accepted.
UFC president Dana White said Thursday that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he won't release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract, which could lead to a legal battle.
"He definitely belongs to me," White said during a news conference promoting Saturday night's UFC 77 pay-per-view show in Cincinnati.
Couture sent White a letter of resignation last week. Couture was disappointed UFC couldn't book a match pitting him against prized heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, who is signing with another promotion. Couture's salary also has become an issue.
White signed several major stars from the now-defunct PRIDE promotion earlier this year and is believed to have made Emelianenko a lucrative offer. White insisted Thursday that Couture is UFC's second-highest paid fighter behind Chuck Liddell. White, though, admits Couture is skeptical of that claim.
"There's no way I was going to let anybody come in from another organization and make more money or have better deals than my guys who have been with me for a long time and helped me build this business," White said.
White said Couture, who is filming a movie in South Africa, hasn't returned two messages. White blamed the lack of communication on Couture's "Hollywood" representation.
"That's what these maggots do. They're parasites," White said. "They cling onto a guy they think they can make money off of."
Couture's agent, Matt Walker of the Gersh Agency, declined comment.
If Couture is ultimately stripped of his UFC title, White hinted he will crown a new champion by pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against the winner of Saturday night's Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera bout.
"If the opportunity came, I would want to fight Randy for the title," said Sylvia, who lost the title to Couture in March. "He's done a lot for the sport and I respect him a lot, but what he's doing is up to him. It's not going to affect my fight with Brandon. I have to get by him before I can even think about the title."
The most storied fighter in UFC history, Couture emerged from a year-long retirement in early 2007. Even at age 44, Couture defeated Sylvia and defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga in August.
With his mixed martial arts career winding down, "The Natural" has branched into acting and other business ventures. While caught off-guard by Couture's negativity toward UFC management, White said he wasn't surprised by Couture's decision to retire again.
"I talked to him a few weeks before (this) and he was feeling like he had nothing else to prove unless he fought Fedor," White said.
The reigning PRIDE champion since 2003, Emelianenko (27-1) hasn't lost in 20 fights while scoring victories over almost all of MMA's top heavyweights. White, though, doesn't have a high opinion of Emelianenko's skills.
"To be honest, I think Randy would smash Fedor," White said. "He'll beat him easily ... Fedor is over-hyped, overrated. The guy hasn't fought anybody in the last year and a half, two years
UFC president Dana White said Thursday that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he won't release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract, which could lead to a legal battle.
"He definitely belongs to me," White said during a news conference promoting Saturday night's UFC 77 pay-per-view show in Cincinnati.
Couture sent White a letter of resignation last week. Couture was disappointed UFC couldn't book a match pitting him against prized heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, who is signing with another promotion. Couture's salary also has become an issue.
White signed several major stars from the now-defunct PRIDE promotion earlier this year and is believed to have made Emelianenko a lucrative offer. White insisted Thursday that Couture is UFC's second-highest paid fighter behind Chuck Liddell. White, though, admits Couture is skeptical of that claim.
"There's no way I was going to let anybody come in from another organization and make more money or have better deals than my guys who have been with me for a long time and helped me build this business," White said.
White said Couture, who is filming a movie in South Africa, hasn't returned two messages. White blamed the lack of communication on Couture's "Hollywood" representation.
"That's what these maggots do. They're parasites," White said. "They cling onto a guy they think they can make money off of."
Couture's agent, Matt Walker of the Gersh Agency, declined comment.
If Couture is ultimately stripped of his UFC title, White hinted he will crown a new champion by pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against the winner of Saturday night's Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera bout.
"If the opportunity came, I would want to fight Randy for the title," said Sylvia, who lost the title to Couture in March. "He's done a lot for the sport and I respect him a lot, but what he's doing is up to him. It's not going to affect my fight with Brandon. I have to get by him before I can even think about the title."
The most storied fighter in UFC history, Couture emerged from a year-long retirement in early 2007. Even at age 44, Couture defeated Sylvia and defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga in August.
With his mixed martial arts career winding down, "The Natural" has branched into acting and other business ventures. While caught off-guard by Couture's negativity toward UFC management, White said he wasn't surprised by Couture's decision to retire again.
"I talked to him a few weeks before (this) and he was feeling like he had nothing else to prove unless he fought Fedor," White said.
The reigning PRIDE champion since 2003, Emelianenko (27-1) hasn't lost in 20 fights while scoring victories over almost all of MMA's top heavyweights. White, though, doesn't have a high opinion of Emelianenko's skills.
"To be honest, I think Randy would smash Fedor," White said. "He'll beat him easily ... Fedor is over-hyped, overrated. The guy hasn't fought anybody in the last year and a half, two years
