UFC 129 Fight Card: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off a Winner?

Randy "The Natural" Couture has stated that his upcoming UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields fight with Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida will be his last battle inside the Octagon.

Now, let's take a look at what Couture, a multi-time UFC champion, has to do to take down Machida and put a finishing stamp on his career.

UFC 129: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off Winner?

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PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 29: UFC fighter Antonio Nogueira (L) battles UFC fighter Randy Couture (R) during their Heavyweight bout at UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira at the Rose Garden Arena on August 29, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Gett

Couture (19-10) has won his previous three fights by going back to what he does best: wrestling.

As a former three-time UFC heavyweight champion and two-time light heavyweight champ, Couture has learned how to control his opponent and wait for an opening better than anyone else in the game.

The problem with his attack style, though, is Machida does the exact same.

For Couture to get on track early, he must come after Machida, hit him with a few strong punches and take him to the mat.

UFC 129: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off Winner?

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MONTREAL- MAY 8: Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua (L) punches Lyoto Machida in their light heavyweight bout at UFC 113 at Bell Centre on May 8, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

As I mentioned previously, Machida (16-2) is as good as anybody in avoiding punches and kicks, racking up 16 consecutive wins at one point and the light heavyweight title, as well.

For Couture to succeed, he will need for Machida to make a mistake.

In his win over Brandon Vera, Couture pushed the tempo and constantly put Vera, a much bigger 205-pounder, against the fence and used "dirty" boxing to secure the unanimous-decision victory.

Machida probably won't allow Couture to do the same in Toronto, but that key asset to his game would be a big feather in Couture's cap.

UFC 129: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off Winner?

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

PORTLAND, OR - AUGUST 28: UFC heavyweight fighter Randy Couture (L) is interviewed by UFC commentator Joe Rogan at the UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira Weigh-In at the Rose Garden Arena on August 28, 2009 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Ima

Couture has to fight this fight like he has nothing to lose, which is true.

Machida, a much younger fighter, has struggled since winning the title over Rashad Evans in 2009. Despite earning a win over Shogun Rua, the decision was clearly not popular with many, as the two collide a few months later.

Rua earned a KO victory in the rematch, and Machida followed that loss with a decision-defeat at the hands of Quinton Jackson.

Couture—ever the veteran—has probably studied each of those fights down to the final second, putting together a plan that will allow him to defeat Machida by any means necessary.

UFC 129: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off Winner?

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida celebrates his victory over UFC Light Heavyweight challenger Mauricio Rua (not pictured) in their title fight at UFC 104 at Staples Center on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, Cali

Couture has to make sure to be smart when on the defensive, as Machida owns five wins by way of knockout.

The 47-year-old Couture has picked up two submissions wins, but both came over fighters who are more brawlers than technical grapplers in James Toney and Mark Coleman.

With Machida, Couture must be expecting a 15-minute mental and physical grind, as 10 of Machida's 18 fights have gone to a decision, where he owns a 9-1 record.

Many of Machida's opponents, though, did not own the kind of resume that Couture brings with him, negating that strong point to "The Dragon's" game.

UFC 129: Can Randy Couture Upset Lyoto Machida, Ride off Winner?

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 04: MMA champion Randy Couture attends the 'ZigTech Cowboy Up Challenge' hosted by Reebok as MMA champion Randy Couture rides a mechanical bull on February 4, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

So, MMA fans, what do you think will happen on Saturday night?

Can Couture stun most pundits and defeat Machida?

Or will Couture's career end on a sour note?

I, for one, see "The Natural" getting his hand raised at the end of a three-round war.