Couture Vs. Franklin: Captain America's Last Chance For The Title?

The news recently broke that Randy Couture has expressed interest in fighting Rich Franklin sometime near August 2010. This would be an exciting match-up since both Couture and Franklin are notorious for their great conditioning. Since Couture recently won against Brandon Vera and dominated Mark Coleman, would a victory over Franklin put Couture in a fight for the title?

One might think it is best to look at fighters’ competition in order to determine whether or not they would be worthy for a title match. In looking at Franklin’s rank in the UFC, he’s lost two of his last three fights, which on paper wouldn’t appear to put Couture in line for a championship match. However, in the case of Brock Lesnar, a title shot was given to him despite having only three fights under his belt, one of which he lost.

Despite many fans considering this anathema, Dana White was savvy in creating a long-lasting battle for the heavyweight championship that has required fighters to adapt to the brute force and unnatural speed that Lesnar offers. Lesnar fought for the title with only a 2-1 record; nevertheless, the match was exciting. Not only that, the majority of fans watching identified with Couture, cheering for him all the way.  

The reality is that the chance of Couture once again fighting for the title might come down to one of likeability. Who doesn’t enjoy watching Couture fight? His charisma is contagious, and practically all his opponents have been verbal about their honor in fighting him. He’s Captain America, and UFC fans all over the world respect Couture for his ability to surpass expectations of age and ability by regularly enduring beatings only to come out on top in the end.

A victory against Franklin wouldn’t simply go to prove that Couture’s still got it; winning as many fights as he has in his forties already proves that. However, it would add a new level of accomplishment to Couture’s résumé as Franklin always brings a tough, exciting fight to the Octagon.

A man that can take a hard kick to the liver at the beginning of a fight against Brandon Vera and still win puts forth a great example of the heart it takes to be a champion. A fighter who can last three rounds against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and not quit despite being over ten years Nogueira’s elder is a guy with the tenacity to prevail against anyone in the UFC. A man that offered one of the biggest guys to ever walk into the UFC the toughest fight to date is a man that all UFC fans will gladly watch fight for any title.

Couture is all too familiar with title fights, and as a result nobody can intimidate him. He fights for the fun of it, and his competitive spirit is the impetus for what is still stellar performance. A win against Franklin would only add to what is already infamy, and if you ask the majority of UFC fans, Couture is just the guy to bring an exciting fight to the light heavyweight championship.