Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar
Perhaps this is not the biggest fight in UFC history, but it is a big one that is sure to attract a record crowd. The hype surrounding this card speaks volumes about this particular fight seeing as how the rest of the card is mediocre at best. This is also a hard fight to pick. Here is what we know. Brock Lesnar has looked impressive in his two UFC fights although he lost his debut against Frank Mir (or as he says it “Murr”). Quite honestly, if Steve Mazagatti hadn’t pulled Lesnar off and stood them up for a hit to the back of the head the fight may have ended with Lesnar being victorious. Against Heath Herring Lesnar showed incredible ability to control another fighter and he showed that he hits stinkin’ hard. There are a lot of unknowns about Brock Lesnar. However, Randy Couture is not an unknown at all. We know what he will bring to the cage. He comes in as an underdog despite his experience. Let me break down this fight. I broke down different skills sets and picked who had tha advantage in each realm that may be a factor in this fight. Myabe it will help in picking a winner.
Age: Brock Lesnar
Randy is 45. Brock Lesnar is 31. Age could be a factor. It hasn’t been for Randy yet, but it is bound to be eventually. Everyone thought it was an issue against Tim Sylvia and against Gabriel Gonzaga and it wasn’t, a little over a year later, we expect it could be a factor. I do not believe it will be the sole factor or even the deciding factor, but it will be a factor. Unfortunately, if Couture loses everyone will blame it on Randy’s age and not Lesnar’s skill. I believe everyone would agree that Lesnar wins the age battle.
Experience: Randy Couture
There is no question that Randy’s experience is a huge factor. Lesnar is 2-1 in his MMA career. Granted he has fought elite fighters in Mir and Herring, he doesn’t nearly have the résumé that Couture has. Couture has an impressive 16-8 record. Randy has been in the ring against guys like Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Tim Sylvia, Gabriel Gonzaga, Vitor Belfort, Josh Barnett, Ricco Rodriguez, Maurice Smith, Pedro Rizzo, Jeremy Horn, and Kevin Randleman. Couture has fought 5 round fights. He has headlines big events. He has been in every imaginable situation in a fight. That is a huge advantage. The limelight will not be a decided advantage for Randy because Lesnar has been there. He experienced that in WWE and even in his college wrestling days. When it comes down to instincts in the ring though Randy has the advantage. The one who loses this fight could very well be the one who makes the first mistake. That bodes very well for Couture.
Strength: Brock Lesnar
Is there any real question here? Look at Lesnar. He dwarfs everyone. He is strong as an ox. By the way, never question whether Lesnar’s build and strength were gained by natural means because he does not like being accused of steroids. Strength could be an issue. Lesnar’s strength could give Lesnar the ability to hold Couture down and avoid reversals. It could help in the clinch, where Randy is very good. It could help to avoid submissions and to get off his back. In this match-ups strength will be an issue. We give the strength advantage to Lesnar.
Athleticism: Brock Lesnar
This is a tough one to call. I just give the athletic advantage to Lesnar because he is younger and he is a physical specimen. He is a elite wrestler. He played some pro football. He is doing well in MMA. He has shown great athletic prowess. I think Lesnar may be the most athletic heavyweight. He is quick and moved well for a guy nearing 300 lbs. I know WWE is fake and say what you want about pro wrasslin’, but it does take great athleticism do fair well in the WWE. I give the athleticism advantage to Lesnar, but not by a lot.
Wrestling: Brock Lesnar
I know that Randy Couture is a top tier wrestler. I know of his background at Oklahoma State. I know that he was an Olympic alternate like 3 times. There is no one with the wrestling pedigree of Brock Lesnar. He is a national champ out of Minnesota. He could have done whatever he wanted wrestling wise. Where does this come into play? On the ground. It will be very hard to keep Brock on his back. However, he is not in there against some tomato can wrestler. Randy Couture is a good, very good wrestler. I give the advantage to Brock here though mainly because Randy is further removed from his wrestling career than Brock Lesnar. The skill set difference may not be enough to make much difference and I highly doubt this fight will unfold like the Herring fight did.
Grappling: Randy Couture
Brock Lesnar showed a lot of skill against Herring, but he showed very little grappling or jiu jitsu skills. He should have submitted him numerous times following the many times he mounted the Texas Crazy Horse or the times he took his back. If he gives Randy his back he will be choked out. That may be a good place for Randy to look to win and it may be an area that Brock is vulnerable. With that said the brute strength of Lesnar makes up for some of his lack of grappling skill and also, Lesnar is showing improvement constantly. Certainly he has worked on grappling. The question is how much did he improve since Herring?
Clinch: Randy Couture
Randy is a master at the clinch and dirty boxing. He is not afraid to clinch with bigger stronger guys. Just ask Gonzaga and Sylvia. The clinch could be a good place to be for Randy. He has a decided clinch advantage.
Size: Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar has to cut weight to make 265 lbs. Randy Couture will come in barely over 205 lbs. Lesnar wears those XXXXL MMA gloves. He will be a tough dude to wrap up and to hold onto. Enough said.
Striking Technique: Randy Couture
Randy never fails to impress. He has more technique because he has been at it longer. He may utilize his technique and boxing skills to keep Lesnar away and he may want to test Brock’s chin. Randy hit Sylvia so hard in round 1 of their fight that Tim says he didn’t come to until round 5.
Striking Power: Brock Lesnar
Ask Heath Herring. Brock can hit hard. He doesn’t seem to have the technique that Randy does, but I have a feeling that Brock hits harder. He packs a lot of weight behind a punch. If Brock hits Randy like he did Herring it could be a bad night for Captain America.
Training: Randy Couture
I do not doubt Lesnar’s work ethic or how good his training will be. The bottom line is that Xtreme Couture is becoming one of the elite training facilities in the world. Randy will as always have a superior game plan and will have trained and prepared for everything in this fight.
Fans/Popularity: Randy Couture
He is Captain America. He is the Natural. Randy Couture is beloved by fans. I do not know if his recent stint outside the octagon will hurt him, but I think it will help him. I imagine that when Randy walks out Saturday night that the cheers will be deafening. The fans will be behind Randy. Brock is not unpopular, it is just he is fighting the most popular or at least one of the most popular mixed martial artists. His popularity will translate into money and pay per view buys. I think Randy will have the crowd seeing as how he is fighting out of his hometown of Las Vegas. This is a factor in this fight. Brock will receive some love too, but not the love of Captain America.
Cardio: Randy Couture
I almost labeled this a tossup. It really could be, but I gave it to Randy for a few reasons. First, Randy is and always has been known as a cardio machine. Second, he has gone five round before. After round 3 it is a new place for Brock. I would imagine that Brock’s cardio is very good and that he is prepared to go 5, but he is more likely to gas than Randy and Randy could keep a fast paced or in your face style that could wear down Lesnar. I do not think it is a huge advantage, but it could be a slight advantage.
The only other question I would have is will Randy show some ring rust? I doubt it. I am so tempted to pick Lesnar to win this fight. However, I have learned my lesson about betting against Randy Couture. Therefore I pick Randy Couture to win by submission in round 3.
Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson
A great fight in the lightweight divison which should determine the number 1 contender. If Florian wins he has to get a title shot. If Florian can avoid the Stevenson guillotine choke he will win this fight. I am excited about this one. However, I pick Florian by decision.
Demian Maia vs. Nate Quarry
This is a great fight. Quarry is a good striker and Maia is a great grappler and jiu jitsu practioner. The winner of this fight moved far up the ladder at 185 lbs. I think if it stays standing Quarry wins. If it goes to the ground Maia wins. With that said, I think it will go to the ground. Maia will then make quick work of Quarry. If I am wrong Quarry will have won by KO or TKO. Nevertheless, I pick Maia by submission in round 1.
Amir Sadollah vs. Nick Catone
I know nothing about Catone, but do you really think they will give the Ultimate Fighter winner a guy they thought would beat Amir? Amir by submission in round 2.
Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Josh Hendricks
Quick Picks:
Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory
Jorge Gurgel vs. Aaron Riley
Jeremy Stephens vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Mark Bocek vs. Alvin Robinson
Matt Brown vs. Ryan Thomas
Fight of the Night Pick: Gurgel vs. Riley
Submission of the Night Pick: Demian Maian or Dustin Hazelett
KO of the Night Pick: Jeremy Stephens
Upset to Wtach: Brock Lesnar over Randy Couture and Nate Quarry over Demian Maia
Filed under: Alvin Robinson, Amir Sadollah, Brock Lesnar, Dana White, Demian Maia, Dustin Hazelett, Gabriel Gonzaga, Jeremy Stephens, Joe Stevenson, Jorge Gurgel, Josh Hendricks, Kenny Florian, Mark Bocek, Matt Brown, Nate Quarry, Nick Catone, Randy Couture, Tamdan McCory, UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar, Ultimate Fighting | Tagged: Aaron Riley, Alvin Robinson, Amir Sadollah, Brock Lesnar, Demian Maia, Dustin Hazelett, Gabriel Gonzaga, Jeremy Stephens, Joe Stevenson, Jorge Gurgel, Josh Hendricks, Kenny Florian, Mark Bocek, Matt Brown, Nate Quarry, Nick Catone, Rafael dos Anjos, Randy Couture, Tamdan McCrory, UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar | 2 Comments »
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