Randy Couture: Lyoto Machida Is 'Somebody I'd Like to Fight'
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7/15/2009 3:15 PM ET By Michael David Smith
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- Michael David Smith
- Michael David Smith is FanHouse's Lead Blogger
Randy Couture is making the media rounds in Portland to promote his August 29 UFC 102 fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and in an interesting interview with On Portland, he indicated a desire to move back down from heavyweight to light heavyweight -- at least if it gave him a chance at the light heavyweight champion, Lyoto Machida.
"He's got a very unique style, very unorthodox, he stays true to his karate background and makes it work," Couture said. "I could certainly go back down to 205 if that was something they wanted to see. I'd be interested in competing against him. He's a tremendous competitor and somebody I'd like to fight."
I think it's highly unlikely that Couture will ever fight Machida, and if he does I think it's even more unlikely that he'd win, but I have to admit, there's a little bit of fanboy in me that would love to see him get the chance. So far no one has been able to solve Machida's unique style, but if there's anyone in MMA who could develop the right game plan for Machida, it's Couture.
Other comments from Couture's interview:
-- Couture is impressed that Brock Lesnar keeps getting better with every fight.
-- Couture still wants to fight Fedor Emelianenko, but he adds, "I'm not going to hold my breath."
-- Couture has one more fight on his UFC contract after the Nogueira fight, and after that, "we'll see."
-- Couture said if he wants one fight to define his career, it would be his victory over Tim Sylvia at UFC 68 in 2007.
-- Couture doesn't have any interest in coaching another season of The Ultimate Fighter.
-- Couture was pleased with his friend Dan Henderson's UFC 100 knockout of Michael Bisping, and the fight "went how I thought it would go."
Part 2 of the interview is below:
Read More: MMA Videos UFC Antonio+Rodrigo+Nogueira, AntonioRodrigoNogueira, Lyoto+Machida, LyotoMachida, Randy+Couture, RandyCouture, UFC+102, Ufc102
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
The only person who I think will beat Machida is Jon Jones.
His back to back wins over Ortiz & Liddell in 2003 were the defining moments in Couture's career ... in my opinion.
Couture is a great competitor & champion, but of the 25 times he has stepped into the ring/cage he lost 36% of the time. He needs to retire soon before losses & injury force him to retire.
Not a super cotoure fan but I like to see him fight. He is a master gameplanner. But he couldn't solve machidas style. Someone will just not cotoure in his 40s. Jon jones is an intresting fight but again, I don't think he is ready. Lyoto is good but We will see if he gets past shogun. He has something to prove and we will see a dream fight. Everyone wants to see.
Oops spelled his name wrong couture. Lol. Stupid spell check on iPhone.
never.... ever.... count captain america out!
You're dam right!!!!!!
If Fedor comes to the UFC and loses to Lesnar, I could easily see a Couture vs Lesnar matchup.
If Fedor looses to Lesnar I think we will see Fedor vs Couture rather than Couture vs Lesnar again. But, Fedor has to come to beat Barnett, come to the UFC and then lose to Brock ... we are getting a little ahead of ourselves.
Randy Couture is one of those guys like BJ Penn (although classier than Penn) that fights all comers and never backs away from a challenge. Thats why I'm such a big fan of both of them. Regardless of size or weight disadvantage they will still go in there and compete to the best of their abilities.
Couture is one of those guys who even though he may not have the best record in the world you just can't count him out in any fight.
Do I see Couture fighting machida? Probably not. Especially with only 1 fight on his deal the UFC would never put him in a title shot unless they cah re-negotiate to keep him in the UFC.
I think there are a lot of guys in the UFC and MMA who could beat Machida on any given night. It doesn't mean they will beat machida or anything like that but there are about half a dozen guys who I would say have at least a chance. Couture is one of those guys.
Couture, Anderson Silva, Rampage, Dan Henderson, Gegard Mousasi, Forrest Griffin, Mahmed Khalidov and I would also put Shogun on that list. Now, as I said it doesn't mean they would beat him or anything but certainly they are all capable.
Whats with all this talk of Jon Jones being able to beat Machida? Sure, Jones is a great prospect and one day he is probably going to be the creme of the light heavyweight crop. But, at this point we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves. Let the guy get a few more big wins and stuff under his belt ... build his name up. He isn't ready to be a headliner yet.
A more polished Jon Jones vs Machida would be very interesting to watch. Both of those guys are so unorthodox that it would be a crazy fight.
Maybe in a couple of years Jones will be ready but not even close at this point. I honestly believe that Shogun has a better chance than Tito Ortiz, Thiago Silva and Rashad Evans did. If Shogun is truly back on his game then Machida will have his hands full.
neo nailed it - about the time you're ready to write coulture off, he blows someone away. i actually like his chances. coulture's clinch game is not what machida likes.
as for machida, dont be surprised if shogun overwhelms him ala the shutebox swarm of pressure an ko's him.
I love both fighters but sorry to say Randy is over the hill for Machida. Machida will keep Randy away and wear him down with kicks and straight strikes as he moves around avoding clinches. The fact Machida is very experinced in Jiu-Jitsu will also work against Randy. As for Shogun; I will be suprised if he KO's Machida. When Rua shutes Machida will either side-step and counter or place a nice knee into Rua's head.
hey Ted, i am a machida fan, but i think Randy would get ahold of him. I'm not entirely sure how much of his will he can impose once he does get him, that to me would be the question to be answered. I will say i thought some years ago the guy was done, he's proved me wrong so much i just dont doubt him anymore. I also think he beats nogeria.
I think Shogun will be the best fighter Machida has ever faced. I'm going to go with Shogun by ko in that fight. bold call i know, but i dont think machida's inside game is going to keep pace with shogun, and it's actually machida's inside game that i give coulture a shot at winning.
Richardbike - I see your points. It is hard to go against Couture; the guy is a ledgend. As for Rua; if he connects he can drop any '205' pounder. I just think Machida will avoid their power; he also seems to be comfortable changing his style according to his opponents strenght. I always look at fights like these as 50/50; either guy can win.
Pardon my spelling! If my predictions are as bad as my spelling then Machida is in a lot of trouble LOL...
Machida is like GSP or Wanderlei Silva he's a well rounded fighter who's going to dominate his division for a l-o-nn-gg time you guys are just trying to get my hopes up. Rua can't figure his game out any better than Couture could. I don't even know what possible interest Randy would have in the fight. He would be underweight and weaker because of it. The possible loss of stamina and strength would not be worth it.
Dolly - I hope you're right!