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Opinion & Analysis : The Specialists

STYLES CLASH: Hall of Famers collide - Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman - a look at how these wrestlers' styles differ

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Feb 3, 2010 - 11:23:39 PM

By Anthony Berriola MMATorch Specialist

This Saturday night UFC Hall of Famers Randy Couture and Mark "The Hammer" Coleman will hobble their aged, beaten bodies into the cage for what we all may agree is somewhat of a lackluster main event carrying a pay-per-view card. Both fighters are originators of the sport and deserve all the respect in the world, regardless of how vintage they are, this fight still makes me feel nostalgic and somewhat interested.

THE FIGHTERS

Any fan of MMA, whether new or long-time, knows the name Randy Couture, and for that reason I will not spend too much time stating facts that we all already know about him. At 46 years old he is the oldest fighter in the UFC, five-time UFC Champion and at one time held the title in two different divisions. He is known as a wrestler, even though his skill set is much bigger than wrestling alone, and is probably the most intelligent fighter in the sport of MMA has seen.

And in the opposite corner, not quite as old but probably a bit more broken down, we have Mark Coleman. Two-time UFC Tournament Champion in 1996 and earned the title of the first UFC Heavyweight Champ back on UFC 12 by beating the popular Dan Severn. At 45 years old he is also a former Pride Fighting Champion, like his opponent Randy Couture, he too is known for his wrestling skills and background... Whew!! Breezed through that!

THE FIGHT

With the background, intelligence and experience of these fighters, I would like to see them put on a great show for all of us long time UFC fans, but I am predicting a somewhat boring match.

Randy likes to use the cage to press his opponents and break them down, this technique allows him to hold a dominant position while tiring out his opponent. From here, he patiently waits for an opening to take it to the ground where he can dominate his tired opponent to a victory.

This tactic was noticeable in his last fight against Brandon Vera and even early on against Brock Lesnar before he was TKO’d by the monster. Seeing as Coleman is a bit more weathered than Randy and not quite in as good of shape, I would expect Randy to take the same approach in this fight.

Coleman’s conditioning is no way near where it used to be and not up to par with Randys, making it hard to recover if he is brought to the mat while fatigued. It wouldn’t be logical to immediately take down Coleman at the opening bell because he does have the skill and capabilities on the ground to possibly put away Randy while he is fresh.

Both fighters have knockout power but I would be surprised to see this fight stay on foot and I am expecting ground game for the duration of the match. I’m just going to take it for what it is and enjoy the nostalgia of these two Hall of Famers doing what they are best known for.

PREDICTION

I wish I could give him more credit than this, but I feel Randy Couture will win via decision at the end of three.

CLOSING NOTE

Finally let me apologize for my absence from MMATorch recently as things get busy and priorities shift. With that said, I am happy to be back to state the facts and give my own opinion along the way. We are all critics of the sport and I value your opinion as well, whether positive or negative feel free to comment away.

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Anthony Berriola is an MMATorch Specialist who focuses on style differences between fighters matched against one another at an upcoming event. If you have a fight you want him to dissect, suggest it via email a mmatorch@gmail.com

[Randy Couture art credit Cory Gould (c) MMATorch]

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