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Post by Ian from 616Entertainment. on Feb 26, 2009 16:38:00 GMT -5
The Natural and Minotauro — two legendary heavyweight champions whose last performances had fans wondering if their days of competing at the sport's highest level were over. But later this year, one of them will triumph once again. MMA Weekly breaks it:
According to multiple sources from Couture’s camp, he has agreed to face Nogueira at the yet-unannounced UFC 101 sometime in August. The event may take place in Portland, Ore. The UFC is now awaiting a response from Nogueira’s camp.
Previously, Couture was offered a fight with Nogueira in the first half of 2009, but his role in Sylvester Stallone’s “The Expendables,” set to film in late March, got in the way. Couture was also rumored to be under consideration for UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany on June 13, but a source indicated he would be unable to complete a proper 8-week training camp and would not take the fight.
At 45 years of age, Randy Couture's shelf life as a pro fighter has become extremely limited. But to me, his loss to Brock Lesnar last November only proved that he shouldn't be in the cage with guys who are 50 pounds bigger than him. And as much as Couture vs. Nogueira is a fan's dream-match, it's too bad that Couture still insists on competing as a heavyweight, where he's now at a size disadvantage against everyone else in the division.
As for Nogueira, he looked much older than his 32 years during his loss to Frank Mir in December, where he was completely outboxed and had nothing to offer offensively; the noticeable decline in Big Nog's reaction time stood as a very bad omen for his future fights. Both Nogueira and Couture are talented enough to rebound strongly from their last losses, but the guy who loses this one might be taking a big step towards retirement. Randy may not be interested in competing as a middle-of-the-card fighter, and if Nogueira no longer has his famous durability to rely on, he'll be a sitting duck against younger, more energetic heavyweights.
But hey, let's not get too gloomy just yet. This is the fight that should have happened a year ago, when Randy was estranged from the UFC. Better late than never, right?-CagePotato.com  yes. |
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Bob Sapp
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Post by Bob Sapp on Feb 26, 2009 16:40:11 GMT -5
Hmm. I'll believe it when it's confirmed. Couture has been dodging Nog and Cro Cop for a bit now.
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Post by Mr. Orange on Feb 26, 2009 16:45:31 GMT -5
yes! One of my dream fights with 2 of my top favorite fighters of all time is finally going to happen. I'm not even going to try and pick a winner or root for one guy over the other. I'll just sit back, relax, and enjoy. |
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Post by Kliquid on Feb 26, 2009 16:51:02 GMT -5
Great fight. Definitely a 'dream matchup'.
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Post by HHH316 on Feb 26, 2009 16:59:26 GMT -5
Sounds good to me
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Post by Boquest on Feb 26, 2009 17:28:22 GMT -5
Hmm. I'll believe it when it's confirmed. Couture has been dodging Nog and Cro Cop for a bit now. Heh, dodging them? Why would he be dodging 2 fighter who are out of there prime, but pursuing a fight with the top P4P fighter in the world? He's got other obligations, its not like he's dodging them but pursuing fights with lesser talent. This is a very interesting match up, I cant wait to see these guys go at it! |
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Post by The Mac on Feb 26, 2009 17:28:29 GMT -5
This one sounds great and is a dream match for sure  I would probably want Couture win but its a toughly! |
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Post by johnnymalloy on Feb 26, 2009 17:53:14 GMT -5
Who dodges Nog and Cro Cop? But WANTS to fight Fedor? Couture didn't dodge anyone.
This should be an excellent fight, I'm saying Couture by UD.
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Post by Patrick Bateman (original) on Feb 26, 2009 22:26:58 GMT -5
I can say honestly. When I met Nog last year training I thought he was 40. I am now 27 and turn 28 next month on the 22nd. I thought he was way older. I really did not know he was only 32. Hmmmm...... Yikes.
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Sandy
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Post by Sandy on Feb 26, 2009 23:15:57 GMT -5
I remember when mentioning how different Nog looked compared to his Pride days..and I suggested perhaps he was taking steroids that someone said.."the knock on Nog isn't that he is on steroids, thats Shogun. The knock on Nog has always been his age"..
but after whoever on this board said that to me I thought to myself "isn't he in his EARLY 30's?"...
and I was right..that is surprising as f*** that he is 32. His movement in the octagon definitely shows the wear and tear that fighting giants for years has done to his body.
I still can't wait to see this fight. I think Couture takes it. I still think Couture can come back and take the HW title. Call it wishful thinking but if anyone could do it..its Randy. If he wins this one and if CroCop is really coming back to the UFC I hope they meet sometime before the years end.
Great news.
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Bruiser Brody
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Post by Bruiser Brody on Feb 26, 2009 23:37:29 GMT -5
Awesome fight, can't wait for this one. I am going on record early and picking The Natural.
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Gonzo Customs
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Post by Gonzo Customs on Feb 27, 2009 0:24:48 GMT -5
I think this will be a great match up. Overall I think Nog is shot and Randy might have one good run left in him before he retires. If he can beat Nog then I could see Randy facing Mir if Mir beats Lesnar. I'd be wishful that Couture could take Mir if given the chance, Brock was just too much for him.
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Bob Sapp
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Post by Bob Sapp on Feb 27, 2009 0:53:22 GMT -5
Lesnar was too much for Couture? Couture took him down, and stood up after being grounded by Lesnar. Lesnar also had to grab the fence to keep from being taken down by Couture. The reason Lesnar won is just because he got that lucky punch in.
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DWright
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Post by DWright on Feb 27, 2009 1:05:51 GMT -5
Lesnar was too much for Couture? Couture took him down, and stood up after being grounded by Lesnar. Lesnar also had to grab the fence to keep from being taken down by Couture. The reason Lesnar won is just because he got that lucky punch in. Was there a Lesnar vs Couture II I didn't see? Couture didn't take down Lesnar once. You should probably watch fights before you comment on them. And PLEASE stop with the "lucky punch" crap. Everytime someone gets knocked out now, it's always a "LUCKY PUNCH." Apparently the only way someone wins in MMA now is if they sub someone. Or wait, is that a "lucky submission" now? |
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Post by Ian from 616Entertainment. on Feb 27, 2009 1:08:40 GMT -5
Lesnar was too much for Couture? Couture took him down, and stood up after being grounded by Lesnar. Lesnar also had to grab the fence to keep from being taken down by Couture. The reason Lesnar won is just because he got that lucky punch in. Was there a Lesnar vs Couture II I didn't see? Couture didn't take down Lesnar once. You should probably watch fights before you comment on them. And PLEASE stop with the "lucky punch" ****. Everytime someone gets knocked out now, it's always a "LUCKY PUNCH." Apparently the only way someone wins in MMA now is if they sub someone. Or wait, is that a "lucky submission" now? In his defense, Couture WOULD have taken Lesnar down, slammed him actually, if Brock didn't hold the cage. |
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Bob Sapp
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Post by Bob Sapp on Feb 27, 2009 1:11:43 GMT -5
Lesnar was too much for Couture? Couture took him down, and stood up after being grounded by Lesnar. Lesnar also had to grab the fence to keep from being taken down by Couture. The reason Lesnar won is just because he got that lucky punch in. Was there a Lesnar vs Couture II I didn't see? Couture didn't take down Lesnar once. You should probably watch fights before you comment on them. And PLEASE stop with the "lucky punch" ****. Everytime someone gets knocked out now, it's always a "LUCKY PUNCH." Apparently the only way someone wins in MMA now is if they sub someone. Or wait, is that a "lucky submission" now? Like I said, Lesnar HELD THE FENCE so Couture couldn't take him down. And it's actually true that the punch was lucky. If Lesnar didn't punch him behind the ear, who knows what would have happened. Lesnar was cut above the eye too. |
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DWright
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Post by DWright on Feb 27, 2009 1:12:15 GMT -5
Was there a Lesnar vs Couture II I didn't see? Couture didn't take down Lesnar once. You should probably watch fights before you comment on them. And PLEASE stop with the "lucky punch" ****. Everytime someone gets knocked out now, it's always a "LUCKY PUNCH." Apparently the only way someone wins in MMA now is if they sub someone. Or wait, is that a "lucky submission" now? In his defense, Couture WOULD have taken Lesnar down, slammed him actually, if Brock didn't hold the cage. Implied both happened. I'm not saying Lesnar didn't grab the fence once to keep from being taken down, but he was never taken down. There was never a take down recorded for Randy Couture in that fight. |
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DWright
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Post by DWright on Feb 27, 2009 1:15:58 GMT -5
Was there a Lesnar vs Couture II I didn't see? Couture didn't take down Lesnar once. You should probably watch fights before you comment on them. And PLEASE stop with the "lucky punch" ****. Everytime someone gets knocked out now, it's always a "LUCKY PUNCH." Apparently the only way someone wins in MMA now is if they sub someone. Or wait, is that a "lucky submission" now? Like I said, Lesnar HELD THE FENCE so Couture couldn't take him down. And it's actually true that the punch was lucky. If Lesnar didn't punch him behind the ear, who knows what would have happened. Lesnar was cut above the eye too. Okay, well in that case, if Matt Serra didn't catch GSP, who knows what would have happened? If Rampage didn't knock out Chuck Liddell, who knows what would have happened? If Gonzaga didn't kick CC in the head, who knows what would have happened? If Nick Diaz didn't catch Robbie Lawler square in the face, who knows what would have happened? Honestly, the "what if" game can be played for days. The "lucky punch" is now used every single time someone wins that someone else doesn't like. People get caught. Sometimes people make a horrible mistake and get caught. Sometimes the other fighter is timing his opponent and just throws a great counter punch (or kick)...but jesus, the "LUCKY PUNCH" has been played out. Just stop. |
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Bob Sapp
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Post by Bob Sapp on Feb 27, 2009 1:32:41 GMT -5
I never said I didn't like Lesnar. I was just commenting on the statement "Brock was just too much for him." Couture was doing fine before Lesnar dropped him.
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Sandy
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Post by Sandy on Feb 27, 2009 1:55:34 GMT -5
I never really understood the "lucky punch" arguement either...
isn't the purpose of the fight trying to get that punch that knocks your opponent out? So technically it shouldn't never be called a lucky punch..
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