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GUEST EDITORIAL: Fate brings together Couture and Lesnar for titanic battle By: Mark Pickering, MMATorch Reader
Nov 15, 2008 - 9:44:08 AM
Last year Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar’s careers couldn’t have been going in more different directions.
Randy had once again defied the odds to make a fairytale comeback to win the UFC heavyweight title for a second time with the five-round demolition of Tim Sylvia.
Tyro Lesnar made his MMA debut three months later in June 2007 at the LA Coliseum before one of the biggest ever crowds for a North American mixed martial arts event. The Webster, South Dakota native headlined K-1’s ‘Dynamite USA’ show in California, beating Min Soo Kim before an 18,340 strong crowd.
After Couture successfully defended his title against the highly dangerous Gabriel Gonzaga he become embroiled in a much-publicised standoff with the UFC which saw him "retire" in October 2007.
While Couture’s retirement stunned the MMA world, and left the UFC without its 44-year-old heavyweight champion and one of the sport’s most recognisable faces, former NCAA champion Lesnar had finally found his true calling.
The 31-year-old was seen as the man to fill the void of popular American heavyweights in MMA, which was compounded by Couture’s sudden departure. Fast-forward twelve months and reigning UFC heavyweight champion Couture, now 45, is back in the game having signed a new three-fight deal; and one-year pro Lesnar is next in line.
Even the most discerning MMA enthusiasts couldn’t have foreseen Brock Lesnar, who only made his UFC debut in January this year, during Couture’s self-imposed exile, becoming the heavyweight icon’s next challenger.
Lesnar, whose ever-improving talents are being nurtured by Minnesota Martial Arts founder Greg Nelson, has made one of the most dramatic ascension’s in UFC history. In only his second year in the fight game the former WWE star has netted a showdown with one of the sport’s founding fathers and all-time greats.
Despite being submitted by former heavyweight champion Frank Mir in his UFC debut Lesnar showed a world of potential that would bear fruit in the near future. A one-sided unanimous decision over 11-year pro and 43-fight veteran Heath Herring in August showed the college wrestling standout was the real deal.
Once you looked past Lesnar’s hulking physique you could see there was a whole lot more to the UFC’s heavyweight phenom. At 6ft 3ins and 265-pounds there’s certainly no getting away from Lesnar being a physical specimen. But unlike many men his size the behemoth possesses great athleticism and uncanny speed.
The brawny American has great credentials with an accomplished amateur wrestling career which saw him become a two-time NCAA All-American, two-time Big Ten Conference Champion and NCAA Champion.
Lesnar has a work ethic instilled in him from his wrestling days and with his freakish size has the tools to trouble anyone in the division, including Randy Couture.
The fast-rising heavyweight produced a matured performance to manhandle Heath Herring at UFC 87 and showed several revealing traits which explain his accelerated road to title contention. Lesnar knows how to utilise his bulky frame and has worked diligently on all aspects of his game with Greg Nelson’s camp which includes former lightweight champion Sean Sherk.
Lesnar is the most content he’s been in his entire career, now that he’s satisfying his cravings for real competition, and it shows in his demeanour.
“I’m just relieved I’m doing something that I find myself very happy doing,” said Lesnar. “I’m relieved that I can be home and spend as much time with my daughter and my wife as I can, and do some of the things that I enjoy doing, like hunting and fishing.”
As far as Saturday goes Lesnar is prepared for anything, which is just as well given that The Natural’s a master strategist. “I’ve watched every single one of his fights, and I feel we’ve got a good game plan put together, a good philosophy, and we’ve got 25 minutes to do it.
“Randy’s been able to control a lot of people because he’s a great wrestler – he won’t be able to control me, he won’t be to control Brock Lesnar,” declared the challenger.
Couture, who hasn’t seen action for 15 months, is once again the underdog. His advancing years and inactivity are the primary factors for those favouring the younger, stronger and more powerful challenger.
Yet this is the same Couture who stepped out of retirement and jumped up a division to overwhelm and dominate the gangly and unpopular champion Tim Sylvia. Couture will be outweighed by 50 pounds and be 14 years Lesnar’s senior but everyone should know better than to overlook Captain America.
The Everett, Washington native lives a clean lifestyle, has stayed injury free and is regarded as one of the most disciplined men ever to compete in the sport.
The three-time UFC heavyweight champion keeps himself in top shape, getting hands on with his fighters at Xtreme Couture, cornering and tutoring his many protégés, including light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin.
It’s a testament to his longevity and ability to evolve his game over the years that he can perform like he does aged 45. “People want to keep tuning in because they think this guy is going to get beaten up finally. I’m going to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen,” said Couture. “The age question gets played every time I fight, everyone’s waiting for the shoe to drop.”
Couture has prepared meticulously for what many see as the toughest test of his career, and thinks his powers of evasion can provide a base for him to pick off the more favoured challenger. “I have to focus on footwork and being elusive – using that speed and agility."
“He’s a huge man with big old fists and huge shoulders. I've prepared for big buys before and I haven't found too many that move as well as him.”
Couture added: “As big and powerful as he is it's still pretty one directional - if you step to step to side it's harder for that freight train to veer from one side to the other.”
Whether the battle-hardened veteran can outwork and out think a relentless heir apparent in Brock Lesnar remains to be seen but if there’s one thing that’s remained a constant in the ever-evolving world of MMA it’s that you can never write off Randy Couture.
Now Couture and challenger Lesnar are set for their almighty collision course, dubbed "the biggest fight in UFC history". It seems fate has bound them to an inescapable meeting that will revive and shape the future of the division.
Saturday will herald a new era at heavyweight – or see the ageless old guard once again shock the world. How we get there will be fascinating.
Feedback is welcome as always and can be sent MPPickering@hotmail.com
Mark Pickering is a 22-year-old BA Hons Sports Journalism graduate from Wales, UK.
