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No chance...probably just confusion...
The new M1 owner doesn't have anything to do with Zuffa. Gross says it's an off the radar kinda guy...
Fedor may be coming to the UFC after all
http://www.signfedor.com/
No chance...probably just confusion...
The new M1 owner doesn't have anything to do with Zuffa. Gross says it's an off the radar kinda guy...
Intresting Randy article. His top 10 fights...
October 12, 2007
by Mike Sloan ([email protected])
If Randy Couture (Pictures) never fights in the UFC again, I'm fairly certain that the fight world would forgive him.
Couture is without question one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot into a cage or a ring, a man revered for his unfathomable victories when everything was stacked against him.
He has toppled -- handily, I might add -- a who's who of mixed martial artists, and he's done it repeatedly on the greatest stages in the sport. He's claimed and reclaimed world les multiple times at both heavyweight and light heavyweight, and his accomplishments will never be questioned.
In the wake of Thursday's shocking news that Couture notified the UFC he no longer had an interest in holding their belt and also stepped down from commentating and ambassador roles in the company, let's take a look back at what I consider to be the 10 greatest fights of his career in the UFC, all of which helped create the legend that is Randy Couture (Pictures).
10) Couture vs. Vitor Belfort (Pictures) III, UFC 49
When Randy Couture (Pictures) climbed into the Octagon on the smoldering night of Aug. 21, 2004, "The Natural" was again trying to reclaim his lost le. In his previous outing, Couture had lost his light heavyweight belt to Belfort after a glancing punch and the threading of Belfort's glove lacerated his eye.
In the rubber match and main event of UFC 49, a large number of MMA "experts" figured that Couture had finally reached his peak and was about to become a steppingstone. Wow, were these experts just a little off target.
Couture dominated his younger, quicker and more athletic opponent and wound up pummeling Belfort so badly, so savagely that "The Phenom" had to be rescued by his corner after the third round. A battered, bloody and beleaguered Belfort had never before been so brutally punished.
The loss was so devastating that the Brazilian never regained the nightmarish fighting prowess that had made him such a dangerous fighter. In the end, Couture recaptured his 205-pound le and in essence ended Belfort's career as a legitimate threat.
9) Couture vs. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) II, UFC 52
This fight was a devastating loss on Couture's résumé and the first time he was knocked out. Of all the murderous strikers that he locked horns with, nobody had come close to snatching away his consciousness. For the first time in his career, Couture was a heavy favorite, not an underdog. After handling Liddell easily in their first encounter, most assumed he'd replicate that feat.
Unfortunately for Couture, that didn't occur. He was stopped in the first round, giving Liddell the light heavyweight le. The fight is memorable because it showed that after a remarkable string of inhuman accomplishments inside the Octagon, Couture was, after all, a human being.
The loss also allowed Couture the luxury of becoming "too old" and "too worn out" as a fighter. As everybody knows, this defeat let Couture prove us "experts" wrong again and again in the years to come. The bout was supposed to end Couture's reign as the king, but that never came close to reality.
8) Couture vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (Pictures), UFC 74
This was the last time the world saw the living legend inside the Octagon. As always Couture was picked by many to lose to the cliché. You know: younger, stronger, more powerful, quicker, blah, blah, blah.
Gonzaga was the sexy pick for media and fans everywhere solely because he had nearly decapitated the vaunted Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic with a crippling head kick. He was also known primarily as a Couture-type fighter in that nobody expected this sort of striking ability, especially against one of the greatest pure strikers in MMA.
Couture willingly accepted the challenge and whipped Gonzaga from start to finish. He badly hurt the larger heavyweight, scored numerous takedowns and bombarded him with the trademark Couture ground-and-pound en route to a third-round stoppage.
At 44, Couture held onto his heavyweight le and walked out as arguably the greatest fighter to ever step foot into the Octagon. What makes this fight so special is that Gonzaga will probably become a heavyweight champion. On this night, however, he was owned by a man almost old enough to qualify for a senior discount.
7) Couture vs. Vitor Belfort (Pictures) I, UFC 15
Couture had only fought twice professionally and was basically a pure wrestler. Sure he could land some strikes on the ground, and he seemed like a competent contender, but Vitor Belfort (Pictures) was regarded as the future. He was a young kid without a ceiling, and he had destroyed every man thrown in front of him. Tank Abbott, Scott Ferrozzo, Jon Hess and Tra Telligman (Pictures) were all obliterated, with the longest fight lasting a mere 77 seconds. Belfort seemed absolutely invincible.
As it turned out, the monumental underdog thwarted everything Belfort threw his way and systematically dismantled the Brazilian in just over eight minutes.
Couture smothered him. He battered him. He slammed him and rained down vicious elbows. It looked like a man versus a boy. Never before had a fighter so deadly as Belfort been handled so easily, and the win marked the first time in his career that Couture had proved the so-called pundits wrong. In reality, this was the dawn of Couture's legacy.
6) Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) II, UFC 34
After their torrid first encounter in which some insiders felt Rizzo deserved the victory, Couture slightly retooled his game plan and punished "The Rock" for just over two full rounds.
Rizzo couldn't land his legendary leg kicks for fear of being slammed onto his back. He also couldn't reel off his lethal punches, either, because Couture's defense and angles were giving the Brazilian knockout artist fits. Rizzo had never been beaten so soundly and so emphatically, and many wondered why their initial meeting was as close as it was.
Couture had figured out Rizzo and worn him down in his greatest masterpiece to date. He scored takedowns almost at will and delivered vicious elbows and punches from within Rizzo's guard, from side-control and from full-mount. Early in the third round, Rizzo was an exhausted and bludgeoned s of the dangerous le challenger that had entered the cage.
In victory Couture erased any doubt as to who the best heavyweight in the sport was, at least in the UFC. Additionally, considering how poor Zuffa's previous card had been, he capped off an event that desperately needed his performance.
5) Couture vs. Kevin Randleman (Pictures), UFC 28
"The Monster" was supposed to be a fighter just like Couture -- except twice as explosive and twice as powerful. Couture seemed slow in comparison to Randleman, and though "The Natural" had earlier pummeled Belfort, he had also lost to opponents like Valentijn Overeem (Pictures), Enson Inoue and Mikhail Illoukhine (Pictures). Plus, those fights weren't even in the UFC, and many believed that Couture had already seen his best days.
Randleman was the prototypical killing machine, a disciple of Mark "The Hammer" Coleman, who was expected to be even better than his mentor. Of course Couture prevailed and left the taste of shoe soles in many a mouth.
Couture out-muscled and out-wrestled Randleman and when he needed to, he administered a Hammer-esque beating that The Monster, himself a former UFC champion, had little answer for. It seemed as though every time Randleman tried something, Couture had the perfect response. He scored takedowns, blocked strikes and smothered his muscular opponent from start to finish.
Along with his triumph over Belfort, Couture had squashed another young opponent expected to be a future star.
4) Couture vs. o Ortiz (Pictures), UFC 44
Ortiz was the defending light heavyweight champion. Even though Couture was fresh off a win over dangerous Chuck Liddell (Pictures), most predicted that the younger Ortiz, arguably the pound-for-pound king at the time, would outlast Couture and retain his le.
Couture had his own "interim" le, a belt that irked Ortiz. o promised to "punish" Couture and belittled him in his classic trash-talking pre-fight propaganda.
At first the fight was a chess match between two evenly matched men, and the bout appeared to be just a matter of who wanted the win more and whose stamina would prevail. Ortiz fought as hard as he ever had, but he was reduced to an ashamed and beaten former champion by night's end.
Couture figured out the game plan on how to topple the brash Ortiz and won going away, nabbing a unanimous decision. Near the end of the fifth round, a desperate Ortiz tried in vain to secure a leg lock, but the soon-to-be-champion Couture taunted him by tapping on his butt, making fun of the failed submission.
The win marked the first time in UFC history that a fighter had captured a world le in two separate weight classes. Couture, once thought to be a shot and old fighter, used his dominance of Ortiz to prove just the opposite.
Ortiz scored a few sizable wins down the road, though this was arguably the last time he entered the bout as one of the elite fighters of his generation. In a sense Couture ended that reign as well.
3) Couture vs. Chuck Liddell (Pictures) I, UFC 43
Couture had lost two consecutive fights, both by stoppage. Most experts thought he was done (see the trend here?), and since Liddell was on such a roll at the time with 10 straight wins over solid foes, Couture was a walking corpse in the eyes of many. Liddell was eventually going to land one of his lethal strikes on Couture's chin and send the washed-up fighter into exile.
Yeah, we'd heard that all before.
Couture, not known as much of a striker, boxed beautifully and kept Liddell guessing all fight long. "The Iceman" could do nothing against the shorter Couture and ate strike after strike after strike. Eventually Couture started scoring takedowns, and Liddell was unable to get back up. Opening up a relentless ground-and-pound attack, Couture stopped the seemingly unbeatable Liddell midway through the third round.
Couture won the "interim" light heavyweight le with the triumph, to date the biggest of his career. At the time it was a monumental upset and, shockingly, it wasn't the last time that Couture would enter the cage as a prohibitive underdog.
He set the blueprint for how to dominate Liddell, which a few fighters have followed, even after Liddell became one of the two most dominant 205-pounders in UFC history.
2) Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo (Pictures) 1, UFC 31
Without question, this is one of the five greatest fights of all time, at least in the UFC. For five rounds the two heavyweights unloaded literally every attack in their arsenal. Neither budged. They wanted this fight as badly as any two contenders before them, but it was Couture who squeaked past Rizzo for the heavyweight le.
The fight was all but over in the first when Couture delivered one of the most brutal ground-and-pound attacks during a five-minute stretch. Yet Rizzo somehow survived to return a beating on Couture in the second. Both rounds could have easily been scored 10-8, and after three it was a wonder how either man was still breathing. There were two rounds left, mind you. Rizzo battered Couture's legs so badly that they were black and blue for a month and "The Natural" had a difficult time walking.
The fight brought out the best in both men, and many have debated that possibly Rizzo should have won. The UFC treated MMA fans with a rematch three events later, in which Couture simply overwhelmed Rizzo via stoppage. But on this night, May 4, 2001, fans witnessed one of the greatest, most memorable wars of all time.
It was easily the most exciting fight of Couture's career and the first time he had to dig deep after nearly being stopped in the second. It was magnificence personified on both fighters' ends, but Couture had his hand raised. That fight was also the last time Rizzo was at the top of his game, and many believe Couture is the reason why.
1) Couture vs. Tim Sylvia (Pictures), UFC 68
Sure, Sylvia is not the greatest heavyweight of all time. He is not Fedor. He is not Cro Cop, Nogueira, Barnett or a prime Coleman. He was, however, the defending champion who had scored some huge wins over some big names.
Sylvia is a massive fighter with some of the most powerful strikes in the sport and with Couture returning after a year's retirement most considered him far beyond his prime. On the heels of a pedestrian win over journeyman Mike Van Arsdale (Pictures) and two brutal knockout losses to Liddell, Couture looked old and slow.
The Miletich-trained fighter was also almost impossible to take down. Since Couture would stand no chance of getting inside the lurching Sylvia's reach, he was a massive underdog. Yours truly proclaimed that Couture stood "zero chance" of beating Sylvia.
Well, 10 seconds into the fight, when Sylvia was crumbling to the canvas thanks to a Couture right hand, everybody knew he was doomed. That right hand was a microcosm of what was to come, which was an embarrassing beating over five rounds in which Sylvia was reduced to an amateur. Couture had never looked this vicious, this relentless. He stood toe to toe, took his foe down and even had Sylvia caught in a few submissions.
In the end, Couture proved why he is the perfect underdog. He displayed one of the greatest performances in heavyweight history, never looking like a man pushing his mid-40s as he outclassed the "younger, stronger, more powerful" opponent for the umpteenth time.
With the victory Couture became heavyweight champion again and solidified his status as the fighter who has scored the most remarkable and unthinkable victories this sport has ever seen.
Link:
http://www.cdn.sherdog.com/_images/n...07_10/9462.jpg
Has Randy's ESPN phone call been posted yet? Here is what a poster a Sherdog had to say about it...
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showth...hreadid=659550WOW, they just had randy on the phone from South Africa on sportscenter
THE UFC LOOKED SO ING BAD, ha
First they had Randy on the phone, he explained basically everything he explained in his statement to the UFC
Saying he is not as compensated as others who have not acheived what he has, he also said the some younger fighters are getting shafted, and that he wants Fedor
THEN.......... they put Dana WHites quote about " slapping" An agent on the screen. I was embarrassed to even be a fan. My mom was watching with me and looked at me and said "that is the owner?" and i said "not the majority owner" hahaha
but if Randy is trying to make a statement then he has, the whole sports world watching tonight who doesnt know much about MMA now thinks that Dana is a deuche and the UFC is an unfair organization
As fans i dont think we have any right to say either or, because we are not fighters, but from comments from the "president" of a company that we all follow and from comments from the greates fighter of that companys history we can all come to the conclusion that the UFC needs to change there ways, and maybe that starts with getting rid of someone who releases a quote that states how he SLAPS an agent
This took me by surprise that it happened but I think its not to big of a shock.
The UFC have been extremely one sided in its negotiations. While these guys get way more than they say, the UFC has certainly underpaid them. The fighters sponge so much from the UFC so there is a bit more back and forth pushing to be done before this settles.
And these fighters need to be a bit more careful on pushing too hard on pay. They may just get what they ask for but the UFC may start limiting the sponsors they wear on their shorts and the banners they have in the corner.
But, this was bound to happen at some point. One or two more of these are on their way and o Ortiz will probably be the next guy to be so vocal.
Ok...this may have been posted. But Randy on SC saying why he left...
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/...deo?id=3061100
lol...wtf?
Couture on SportsCenter
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2007/10/...scenter-video/
Man, Dana WHite might be the downfall off the UFC. He lets personal vendettas play a part in his decision making, and loses out on fighters because of it. Calling Fedor overated is just stupid, no matter what he thinks Randy would have done. But it doesnt even matter, he lost out on him, and now is talking trying to steal credibility from him. He should just swallow his ing pride and sign Barnett already.
lol...that pic of Randy.....
hahaha
I'm tired of the word retire. Randy feels he has one fight left in his career. He wanted Fedor, the UFC didnt get him so he's taking it into his own hands to get the fight. I'm glad he's making Dana look like a fool during this whole dilemma. There has got to be a bunch of guys that have wanted to do this for a long time. Dana did a great job taking the UFC mainstream. There's no doubt about that, but the ufc needs people in charge that know buisiness and take care of their fighters. I'm tired Liddell being Dana's . Thanks Randy.
Oh and im tired of hearing the bull like "well he could fight nog or barnett". with all due respect for those guys, Randy only needs one fight and one fight only. who knows he may have fought nog/kongo if dana would pay him. he's 44 dana.
All kinds of crazy Fedor Vs _____ rumors.
Fedor Vs Ken Shamrock
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=661389
Cmon, why the would Fedor want anything to do with an irrelevant has-been who has been in over his head in every fight since UFC signed a TV deal with e?
I don't believe it for a second but it will be nothing but crazy rumors for a bit.
Dana is the greatest.
Tons of fall out from this....
IMO Randy looks pretty bad right now. I be he never thought in a million years Dana would reveal all of those checks Randy cashed and the PPV numbers.
Bluff called.
can you post an article so i can read all the info?
ahhh i saw the video on ufc.com too.
http://mmamania.com/2007/10/30/dana-...randy-couture/
Dana White and Lorenzo Fer ta press conference on resignation of UFCs Randy Couture
UFC President Dana White, UFC Majority Owner Lorenzo Fer ta and UFC Chief Financial Officer (CFO) John Mulkey today hosted a press conference to address recent “damaging” remarks from UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture.
The rare broadcast was streamed online via video on UFC.com.
Here are the two key takeaways:
Randy Couture is still the UFC Heavyweight Champion. In fact, he will be offered a bout agreement this week to defend his le against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira sometime in early 2008. The UFC wants him to defend his le — there is no “breaking point” at which the UFC would walkaway.
Couture did receive a signing bonus (something he denies) in the amount of $500,000. He received two $250,000 payments — the UFC handed out photocopies of the checks with his signature as evidence. In addition, “The Natural” will make about $2.9 million from his UFC contract alone for two fights in 2006. Clearly, this excludes endorsements and includes PPV cuts, fight bonuses, annual salary, etc.
Here are the other highlights:
Dana feels that this is a “weird situation” because the UFC doesn’t talk about money — it changes fighters’ lives. The UFC takes care of its fighters and treats them well. Couture’s statements he made about finances are untrue. Want to clear up facts.
Kim Couture (Randy’s wife) was wrong when she said the UFC never promoted him. White rattled off a laundry list of marketing efforts and television programs in which the UFC promoted him.
Lorenzo Feritta negotiated the contract with Couture. So when he hears Randy say that he was “never happy” with contract, it is surprising to him because Couture seemed happy in January.
Couture grossly misrepresented the financial facts in his press conference. The UFC can’t sit back and be silent, which is the reason for the response.
The CFO rattles of several figures that all amount to just under three million for the year (2006) for two fights. That figure includes (among other things) a $500,000 signing bonus that Couture says he didn’t get.
White says that UFC is not a monopoly — compe ion is the best its been in years.
Lorenzo was a bit dismayed by the tone of Randy’s press conference because the two (he thought) had a good conversation beforehand. He later goes on to say that Couture damaged UFC as a company with his inaccurate remarks. He still considers Couture a friend.
White reminded everyone that Couture is still under contract and the UFC will do whatever is necessary to protect its rights
White said that Fedor is a farce and is not top five. He always felt that way. The only reason he tried so hard to get him was because Randy wanted the fight.
If the UFC can work with o Ortiz it can certainly work with Randy Couture. Facts are facts. Don’t want this play it out in court. Couture signed a $500,000 contract to fight in the UFC.
White claims again that Couture’s “puke” Hollywood agent is behind everything because the whole situation makes “no sense.”
Dana White quote of press conference: “I don’t know what I did wrong. This is the most disturbing thing … ever.”
That’s it. To check out the Randy Couture press conference from last week click here. Compare and contrast. Draw your own conclusions.
White said that Fedor is a farce and is not top five. He always felt that way. The only reason he tried so hard to get him was because Randy wanted the fight.
^^^
White says his stupid , but I think Randy is looking pretty bad right now.
Supposedly Fedor was offered about 2 mil a fight guranteed, win or lose if he came to the UFC. I think that angered Randy because while he is making more than he said he is not guranteed that much and he is the champ so it pissed him off. He should have been more honest though, why go public with statements that he knew the UFC could disprove easily with the proper paperwork??
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