I've been reading a lot of different articles all over the Internet, and I can't stop thinking about one thing. Why is everyone so upset with Lesnar-Couture?
Alright, I know why everyone is upset. Lesnar has only beaten one guy in the UFC. It wasn't an amazing showing, but it was pretty impressive to see his growth from the Mir fight and his composure while dealing with a true MMA veteran.
But if that's what you are thinking, which most people are (including myself at first), try and take a look at the big picture. Let me paint it for you.
No matter the outcome of this fight, an awesome fight is going to take place for the winner. Let's look at the possibilities. We'll start with the possibilities if Brock wins.
Brock wins the UFC Heavyweight title, becoming the first big-name, crossover athlete to win a major title. This will do wonders for popularity—not saying it's necessarily a good thing (see Jared Leatzows article on MMA popularity), but maybe then ESPN will actually start to cover the sport in depth, not just one clip a year with an analyst that doesn't know anything about MMA—I recommend Dorothy W. (yes, that was a shout-out).
Lets just hope this doesn't lead to Kurt Angle coming into the sport.
Now for the matchups.
The winner of this fight is going to fight the winner of Nog-Mir. Let's just say Mir wins this fight (let's just say). We get a pretty sought-after rematch, according to fans and a lot of MMA sites and forums. It will pit Brock against the only man he's lost to. Picture it like Rampage-Liddell, because that is how the UFC will advertise this fight.
Mir wants the title, Brock wants to prove that his loss was just a rookie mistake. Let's just say Dana White can afford that new Tito-skin jacket he's had his eye on.
Now what if Nog wins?
We get the most famous Pride heavyweight behind Fedor and Cro Cop—not sure if Cro Cop still has that popularity—fighting against the UFC's full-blooded American, sponsored by Jack Links Jerky.
This match is somewhat of a dream match, as Brock gets to take on another huge name and his third-straight fight against an MMA vet with more than a couple fans. This could wind up being Brock's stiffest test, and his first fight against a Brazilian submission artist (Mir is a great submission guy, but not near the level of Nog).
If Brock won this fight, this could lead to Fedor-Brock, HOOOOOLYYYY S**T. But that's only if he beats Nog.
Hell, if Nog beats Brock, would anybody here mind seeing another epic between Nog and Fedor, but this time inside a cage? I didn't think so.
Now we get to what happens if the ageless wonder can pull off a win. Some people have him as the underdog, while some people are taking him as a heavy favorite. This will set up a fight that has never been done before. Neither Mir nor Nog have ever fought Randy, but I'm sure we would all like to see it happen.
If Nog wins, we get two of the most decorated and beloved fighters in the world. A world-class wrestler against the guy that gave Anderson Silva his BJJ black belt. This fight could be the most-hyped fight in UFC history. Until, of course, Fedor-Couture, if it happens.
Now, a fight between Randy and Frank is not exactly the one I'm rooting for the most. In fact, it's last on my list of possible results because it's the one I want to see the least. I don't know what it is, either.
Can somebody explain that to me, but fights including Frank Mir have never really sparked my interest? It's like my issue with Machida, except I just plain don't like Machida, and I really do like Frank.
Don't get me wrong here, I think Frank is a great fighter. I think he just bleeds class and could be a great ambassador for the UFC, when he decides to un-Velcro his gloves for good (unlike somebody *cough* *cough* Randy Couture *cough*). I'm sure I will wind up watching it if it happens, but I'll need some more big names on the card if I'm payin' $60 for it.
As always, feel free to comment whether or not you agree, just make sure you have a reason. I'll try to answer any questions or reply to any comments.
12 comments Last one added 3 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dorothy Willis 10 months ago
An interesting and well thought out article, but I would nominate Ron Yakman as the MMA expert b/c he is so darn handsome and has such a pleasant on-screen persona. Plus he is not known to stir up much controversy like some, (cough, cough, cough, etc.) old reprobates are prone to do.
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kevin aylward 10 months ago
dorothy go fuck yourself you old dirty cheaseburger. go sit back in your rockin chair you no nothing about mma.lickk popas balls insted
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Mike Leanza 10 months ago
wow Kevin. That has nothing to do with the article. Keep your bullshit to yourself. Thanks in advance
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Scott Beam 10 months ago
This also has nothing to do with this article. Dorothy you rock. Hope your skin is as thick as I think it is and comments like those made by Kevin bounce right off.
Kevin, there is a difference between stirring the pot and being offensive. Be careful, your ignorance is showing.
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Micah Reller 10 months ago
I hate it when people jump on here to talk crap. I think it makes them feel big because they don't have the balls to say it someone's face. It's kinda sad. I think Kevin has some self-esteem issues.
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Nate Lawson 3 months ago
I know I'm a little late on this, but I was reading your articles for the sake of, well, reading one of your articles, and kevin may be the biggest a** on this site. Keep up the good work Kevin, good way to make friends dick.
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Jared Leatzow 10 months ago
hey man good article and thanks for the including me in it
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Robert DesRoche 10 months ago
Very good article. I am so happy to see an article about Couture vs Lesnar that actually takes a unique perspective. Everyone has been writing more or less the same stuff and it's been annoying. Writers should strive to be more creative like this (also: see Kevin Curran's articles). I think even Mir vs Couture is interesting. Couture would have about a 25 pound disadvantage and would be a very interesting tactical battle. My favorite matchups would be Lesnar vs Big Nog, then Couture vs Big Nog, then Lesnar vs Mir, and Couture vs Mir (probably), but it's kind of splitting hairs on the last 2.
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rich green 10 months ago
I agree 100%
Theres really No negatives to this match at all,
for all the slack Brock has taken by everyone under the sun (myself included)
the man is an Incredibly gifted Wrestler/Athlete
the quick turn-around he showed against Herring was amazing IMO
And Randy never ceases to amaze me, I'd much rather see this match
then a Couture/Kongo match or whatever other match the UFC could have
thrown Randy into just to get him in the cage
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Micah Reller 10 months ago
This fight will be one of the most popular, profitable and exciting matches this year. If not THE match of the year. This match-up is very important to me. I need Randy to pull this win off, preferably by KO or TKO. However, I believe this match should not be taking place, yet. It is too early for Lesnar to be given a title shot after 2 wins and 1 loss in the UFC. If Randy wins, he will have proved his point against the UFC about not being respected. The UFC will then throw the winner of Mir and Nog at him. I think again, the old man can pull it off. If he loses against Lesnar, it will be a sad loss. Even sadder than Chucky losing to Rashad. If Lesnar does defeat Randy, his reign as champion will be on and off and very short lived. I don't think Lesnar can hang out in the UFC as long as the legend Randy Couture has. Only time will tell. The only thing I am upset with is the fact this Lesnar title shot has even taken place. It shows the UFC's dwindled HW weight class. Honestly, who is left? Mir or Nog should be in there against Randy. Not, Lesnar.
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John emms 10 months ago
I am also tired of the crap that Dorothy brings all the time. Why do you hate Lesnar so much? She keeps jumping on all articles and admire people who bash Lesnar and bash those who admire Lesnar. What's wrong with you?
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Micah Reller 10 months ago
MMA is a whirl wind of unpredictability and variable. x fighter beats fighter y, y fighter beats z fighter. That would tell me that z fighter cannot beat x fighter. But it happens. It happens all the time in MMA, when it shouldn't base upon the algrebraic equations. Point is, Lesnar has a shot at beating Randy. As much it is hard to say. Should this fight, at this date in time, be taking place? No. However, that may be to Randy's advantage. Preying of Lesnar's inexperience. I am no Lesnar fan. However, I would like to see a more skilled and refined Lesnar in his title shot against whoever. Rather than the current hammer striking oaf of a ball of uncoordinated, unaccurate and unknowledgeable status that he is currently in. Actually, he will never be a pretty fighter. In short, it is too soon for a title shot. Ranking fighters in UFC is based upon the steardiness of ones knee pads instead of any title(interim HW champ) or number(#1 contender).
Champions come and go. If it is your dream to go into the weight room, pump it up, juice it up and jack it up until your a walking mass of muscle. Ok, thats nice. How long is that going to last for? How long are you going to be in the current status of the Hulk? I can't see a 50 year old Lesnar beat a 50 year old black belt in anything. Training the mind is what lasts, not bulking up, because muscle dwindles as age increases. Will Lesnar ever be a 45 year old HW champion?
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