The suspense lasted an extra hour as the UFC delayed a media conference call today but it is now official - Randy Couture is returning to the octagon.

During the call, UFC President Dana White also announced that Couture will square off against Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 on November 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.  There was talk that the bout would take place in Portland, OR.

Despite their differences, Couture was never beat or stripped of the UFC heavyweight title and is still recognized as the champion.  The belt will be on the line against Lesnar in a five-round fight.

White also announced that the winner of the fight will take on the winner of the bout between interim heavyweight champion Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira which will take place in December.  The title vs. title fight would take place in early 2009 to determine an undisputed champion.

The UFC sent out an advisory this morning that it will hold a media conference call at 3pm ET / 12pm PT when UFC President Dana White will make a huge annoucement.  It is expected that White will announce that Randy Couture is returning to the promotion and will face Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 on Nov. 15.

It has been 11 months since Couture last fought for the promotion with the two sides battling in and out of court over his contract.  Now, Couture will get a new deal that will likely be for three fights.  The plan seems to be that if he beats Lesnar, he would then face the winner of the Antonio "Minatauro" Noguiera - Frank Mir fight which will take place in December.

Couture is still holding out hope that he can face Fedor Emelianenko but UFC wold first have to sign the Russian which has proved to be very difficult.

Regardless, the news of "The Natural" returning to the UFC is fantastic and to see him take on Lesnar should be one of the biggest events of the year.

Check back here on Combatwire.com this afternoon for more on this story as it develops.

Just the other day, I mentioned the rumor making the rounds that Randy Couture was open to a return to the UFC.  He would have one last fight - likely against Brock Lesnar - and then the two sides would part with the legal issues behind them.

Well, it's not just a rumor.

BloodyElbow.com is now reporting that Couture is negotiating with the UFC where he would main event UFC 91 on Nov. 15 with the most likely opponent being Brock Lesnar.

Plus, it's not just a one fight deal.  According to the website, it would be a brand new, long-term deal which would include at least three fights.  Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer also has the details:

"A source close to Randy Couture has confirmed today that Couture is in negotiations with UFC for a new three-fight deal which would end the nearly nine month legal battle between the two sides. 

If the deal is closed, and the source said they are hoping to conclude negotiations and announce the match sometime within the next week, Couture would face Brock Lesnar on 11/15, most likely in Portland, Oregon.

Couture was said to be hoping that if everything went well, the next two fights could involve Fedor, Nogueira, and/or Chuck Liddell.  However, all previous hangups involving Emelianenko and UFC remain."

Couture is currently training and this proposed deal along with the Nov. 15 fight could be announced very soon, possibly as early as this coming week. One other thing that will have to be settled is the status of the heavyweight title as Couture never lost it and was never stripped of the belt while Noguiera is the interim heavyweight champion.  Plus, would Lesnar - who has competed in three MMA fights and has one win in the UFC - already get a shot at the heavyweight title?  That could ruffle some feathers but Lesnar vs. Couture is a big-time money fight.

Let's just keep our fingers crossed that "The Natural" is coming back to the octagon.