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I'm better than when I beat Chuck Liddell - Couture

Randy Couture is on a three-fight win streak, including a triumph over Brandon Vera at UFC 105 © Getty Images

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• Profile: Randy Couture | Lyoto Machida

Randy Couture has delivered a warning to Lyoto Machida, claiming he has never had so many tools at his disposal to win a fight.

Couture heads into his 30th career fight in Toronto, where he expects to bow out of MMA in front of a record 55,000 crowd. At 47 years of age, he goes in as the underdog, giving away 15 years to the younger Machida.

However, the former five-time UFC champion sees his experience as a major advantage, claiming he has added a world class submissions game to his Olympic level wrestling abilities. The Natural also says his striking is much improved from his peak years.

At his best, Couture recorded victories over the likes of Chuck Liddell and Vitor Belfort in the first half of the last decade, but he believes he has improved vastly since then. Asked how he compares to the fighter that beat Liddell, Couture told ESPN's MMA Live: "I'm definitely the best fighter I've ever been right now. The tactics and techniques that we've refined up to this point are perfect for me.

"I've been focusing on getting my black belt in the last two years, I'm getting more submissions than I ever have in my whole career. My striking has come a long way and really improved that part of my game.

"I'm the best fighter I've ever been right now."

Couture is adamant he will retire after Machida though, even if Fedor Emelianenko is thrown towards him.

"I just don't see that happening. I toiled over that fight for quite a while. I thought I had to get out of the UFC to make it happen, but wasn't successful. I've come to terms with it. I don't think it's going to happen."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.