UFC 129: Randy Couture Says of Lyoto Machida, 'It's Gonna Be Difficult for Him'

If there is anything Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida have in common, it is an ability to strategize and break down an opponent. 

It is obviously an aspect of both fighters' styles that has earned them success in the past, as both Couture and Machida have held the UFC light-heavyweight title respectively.

In an interview on Fiveknuckles.com, Couture spoke on his upcoming bout with Machida and how he intends to prepare for UFC 129.

Couture is no stranger to figuring out an opponent and formulating a game plan to defeat them. Even as complex and difficult as Machida is, he still sees a way to defeat "The Dragon."

"I think if I can cut him off and make him to fight me I'm gonna have a good night. If I can run him into the fence and use the clinch skills and cage fighting skills I've developed from my Greco background, it's gonna be difficult for him."

While Couture has made a career out of defying the odds, he is dealing with his toughest opponent to date. Lyoto Machida is one the most elusive and unorthodox counter-strikers to compete against and has beaten some of the sport's top fighters. 

And it is a style that Couture applauds and admires of the karate fighter. 

"When you start breaking it down and studying it, he does a lot of things very interestingly and he makes it work for him. I think obviously the most effective thing is his footwork, his ability to move in and out of the way of things is impressive," he said. 

Machida is currently riding a two-fight losing streak, suffering back-to-back losses for the first time in his career to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and a third loss could put his UFC career in jeopardy.

And while Couture is enjoying a three-fight winning streak, he understands his role in the company, and at 47 years old, he has decided to focus on more competitive fights in the UFC, rather than a title shot.

This is why there is a strong possibility that his final match will take place at UFC 129, regardless of the outcome.

"I'm not going to make an official announcement after the fight, but I'm pretty sure this is my last fight," Couture revealed.

UFC 129 will take place on April 30 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.