What's Next For The Natural?

  After the Epic battle that took place at UFC 102 between two of the sports all-time greats, more talk has been attributed to who Randy Couture will fight next and not much love has been givin to Nogueira. So i've decided to take a moment and first congratulate Nog for his impressive dominating preformance, and then give a little insight on what i thinks left for Couture in this great sport of MMA.  

  First of all, a proposed Couture - Anderson Silva match-up is way beyond ludacris and is laughable at best considering the unmatched stand-up game the Spider possesses, we haven't seen anything like it since The Iceman in his prime. Anyone who wants this or thinks it would be a good matchup needs to wake up and watch more MMA. Because Randy can't stand with him, obviously won't submit him, & would have trouble staying on top even if the fight went to the ground. It all depends on what weight class Randy decides to fight at to finish his career, in my opinion his best shot is at Light Heavy because at the top of the heap of the Light Heavyweight division it's more of a stand-up war with little regard for the ground game in which Randy could impose his will because Lyoto, Rashad, Rampage, etc. haven't spent too much time on there backs and it'd be nice to see how they react to it because that would have to be Randy's gameplan going in to those fights. As for the Heavyweight Division I can't see Randy taking out Brock because I think he lacks the punching power to knock out Brock in the opening exchange or later exchanges (the only way I see Brock losing) therefore i feel he should finish his career off at Light Heavyweight, and here is how i think Joe Silva and Dana White should let him finish his career with these three opponents.

1.) Winner of Mark Coleman/Tito Ortiz-
This would be an ideal match-up for both fighters as well as the UFC because all 3 fighters are future UFC Hall of Famers & all have the same wrestling style. I see Tito dismantling Coleman & beating Couture on the Cards due to a more well rounded striking game as opposed to just right hands, dirty boxing & takedowns from Couture.

2.) Winner of Rich Franklin/Vitor Belfort-
With Franklin jumping up in weight back to Light Heavyweight where he started his career, already passing his first test in Wand he looks to stake his claim by spoiling the return of the Phenom to the UFC. I think this would be a great matchup of not only names but talent. It would show if Franklin is ready to make a legacy, or the completion of the Trilogy between the Natural & the Phenom. I see Vitor stopping Franklin with strikes and doing the same to Couture via KO.

3.) Chuck Liddell-
With Chuck semi-retiring but being quoted as saying he just wants to take some time off, I see this as the blockbuster send off for each fighter & since both are two of the greatest of all time, both could hold there heads high regardless of the outcome. I think easily this event would break in to the top 5 in all time UFC PPV buys if not the top 3. With that being said I think depending on the injuries/punishment Randy endures in the fights leading to this one, I see 3 possible outcomes ( I know I'm kinda on the fence ). First would be a Draw, a 3 round war with both fighters hands raised at the end. Second would be Liddell by decision do to better standup and takedown defense. Third would be Liddell by 2nd Round KO, due to aging Chuck doesn't end it in the 1st but as the fight goes on Randy sticks to his gameplan Chuck gets more comfortable and lands that lethal right hand. 

With a 16-10 record all-time in the UFC Couture needs to make wise decisions for his next and also last few fights so he doesn't hurt his legacy. All three of these fights project great match-ups not only for the UFC but also to solidify himself as maybe the greatest MMA fighter of all time if he can finish off his career with three victories over solid opponents. The opponents i've chosen i feel would be great match-ups for the UFC and the fans, but also a great opportunity for the opponents chosen, and also a huge chance for The Natural to solidify his legacy.