Couture Vs. Coleman: The Fight That Means More Than Just a Win Or a Loss

Weighing in at a combined weight of 210 lbs and age of 90 years, Randy Couture vs. Mark Coleman is more than a battle of the UFC’s elder statesman.

This fight could be a measuring stick for both of these grizzled vets.

Couture isn’t necessarily taking a step up in competition after his match-up with Brandon Vera, but for the first three minutes, Coleman is usually pretty game. That being said, this is a must-win and Couture has a lot to lose. Those first three minutes of round one are crucial.

“Captain America” will never lose his lustre with the fans, but a loss to Coleman hurts his credibility in the light heavyweight title picture a lot more than a loss to Vera would have. Who does Couture fight next should he lose? Chuck Liddell? It definitely shouldn’t be anyone in the Top-10. And what if he wins? What does a win against Coleman Prove?

Couture is expected to win this fight and Coleman is expected to lose, plain and simple. Couture has the advantage everywhere against a fighter who hasn’t evolved whatsoever.

Should Couture be the first high calibre opponent that Coleman takes down in nine years, it should be time to reconsider the fight game. Not only that, but putting a 46-year-old body through the rigors of training camp only to lose to The Hammer would be crushing to the ego. However, from experience, Couture always surprises the MMA pundits and even after a loss to Coleman he would be hard to count out of any fight, unless it’s against Brock Lesnar.

On the other hand, Coleman’s in a must-win situation as well.

A win against Couture gives Coleman the opportunity to gain some more stock and show that he’s still “here.” He’s still a long, very long shot to contend for the light heavyweight title, but he’d be seen as more than just a serviceable light heavyweight and could give him one final chance to start a run (I didn’t say make a run, just start).

In a similar position as Couture, should Coleman drop this fight, he, more so than The Natural would be forced reconsider the idea of continuing his fighting career. Another loss to an elite competitor is only proof positive that he can no longer compete against the upper echelon of 205ers.

He may have fought Fedor Emelianenko, well he got his only punch in jokingly as Emelianenko’s hand was raised, but this is the biggest fight of Coleman’s career.

Because the outcome may be the final decision he hears.

Fans aren’t given the opportunity to see Hall of Fame inductees compete against each other often, so in a way this is a treat, especially for the old school fans.