MMA Weekly - Randy Couture would welcome a title shot

I know many people aren't thrilled by Randy Couture and Mark Coleman headlining a UFC event but I for one am interested. On the other hand I was shocked to hear the following news on MMA Weekly:

"Going into the fight against Mark Coleman in the main event of UFC 109, Couture is again willing to push himself to the next level, and that next level may be a title shot in the future.

Rumors have swirled for weeks that the winner of the fight between Couture and Coleman could find himself square in the crosshairs of a title shot against the winner of Lyoto Machida and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. It's an opportunity that Couture says he'd accept with open arms.

"That would be cool, I would love to fight either one of those guys," he said about a possible title shot. "Mark's already fought Shogun, I certainly think they're top guys in the weight class. Machida's walking around with the belt right now so he's certainly got a big target on his back."

I was shocked to hear this news. Yes, I know the UFC love Randy Couture. He's good in front of the cameras and well spoken. He makes a very good spokesperson for the sport. On the other hand neither he nor Coleman have any right at having a shot at the light heavy weight title. Coleman is on a one fight win streak having beaten Stephen Bonnar at UFC 100 and Randy is also on a one fight win streak coming off a controversial win against Brandon Vera at UFC 105. I know the UFC keeps trying to push itself away from boxing but that is exactly what it looks like when it pushes a popular fighter over a technically brilliant fighter. I'd much rather see them fight the winner of Ortiz versus Liddell with the loser fighting the loser (with the probable outcome being that Coleman gets his shot at Ortiz).

I'd love to see both fighters going for another shot at the title, but I just cannot see a way that either could possibly beat both Shogun or Machida, which makes it a slightly pointless. Beating Vera and Bonnar does not put you in contention for a title shot.

I say the loser takes on Bones Jones or Vera, most likely the former.

I'd much rather see it go to the winner of Rashad/Rampage!

hendos_right_hook wrote:I'd love to see both fighters going for another shot at the title, but I just cannot see a way that either could possibly beat both Shogun or Machida, which makes it a slightly pointless. Beating Vera and Bonnar does not put you in contention for a title shot.

I say the loser takes on Bones Jones or Vera, most likely the former.

I'd much rather see it go to the winner of Rashad/Rampage!

Good call mate...

The looser gets either the looser of Tito/Chuck or the winner of Vera/Bones

The Winner should more likely get the winner of Nog/Forrest (who will be ranked considerabally higher than the winner of Coleman/Couture)

Remember this is all rumours, I dont believe for a second that Couture or Coleman will get a shot with a win.

I expect Evans/Rampage winner is next in line for a title shot.

Completely agree with Ben. Cannot see Coleman/Couture getting a shot before Rampage/Evans.

Like the idea of the loser getting Jones/Vera (although not to enamoured with the prospect of another Couture/Vera match-up). Couture vs Tito would be a crowd puller, surely? Wouldn't mind seeing the Thiago Silva fight the winner.

I still think there are a lot of style match ups left in the UFC's light heavy weight division:

Rampage vs Rogerio Nogueira
Rampage vs Lyoto Machida
Rampage vs Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva vs Luis Cane (Rock Em Sock Em Robots!)
Thiago Silva vs Forrest Griffin
Rogerio Nogueira vs Randy Couture
Rich Franklin vs Chuck Liddell

I see at least 3 headliners in that list.

And of course, Anderson Silva is still knocking around at light heavy should the UFC just want a superfight.

TomHughes1983 wrote:I still think there are a lot of style match ups left in the UFC's light heavy weight division:

Rampage vs Rogerio Nogueira
Rampage vs Lyoto Machida
Rampage vs Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva vs Luis Cane (Rock Em Sock Em Robots!)
Thiago Silva vs Forrest Griffin
Rogerio Nogueira vs Randy Couture
Rich Franklin vs Chuck Liddell

I see at least 3 headliners in that list.

And of course, Anderson Silva is still knocking around at light heavy should the UFC just want a superfight.

Rampage vs Nog would be great. Would love to see it.
Machida would beat Rampage with ease IMO. Would still like to see it.
Rampage vs Silva is a great call. WAR!
Silva vs Cane won't happen.
Silva vs Forrest could be very good!
Nog vs Couture just to keep it in the family.
Don't really have much interest in Rich vs Chuck but Rich against Nog, Silva and Cane would all be good.

If Rampage beats Evans, he should get a title shot no matter what. Shogun or Machida. If Evans wins and Shogun wins, he should get a shot, if Machida wins, I think he needs another fight TBH. He was just battered last time and he needs to show he has improved so maybe Lil Nog (if he beats Griffin) Beating Silva, Rampage and Lil Nog would mean he deserves a title shot easily.

At the same time the winner of Randy vs Coleman should face the winner of Griffin vs Lil Nog so I think we will end up with Randy vs Lil Nog for the number one contender. Problem is Lil Nog might not want to fight his friend Machida for the title which is bullshit. Its one thing not wanting to change weight class to fight your friend but when he is in your own weight class you need to di what you need to do and compete for the title.

Ed Soares has said Lil Nog would fight Machida for the title if needs be. I dont think they are very close friends or train together as often as Anderson for example.

Good to hear, you can't let friendship get in the way of your career, it doesn't happen in many other sports. Joe Lauzon said he wouldn't mind fighting his brother Dan, I wish that was the mentaility of every other fighter.

I think I know how to remain the champion, just befriend everyone in the division!