(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 08, 2011 ) Los Angeles, CA - Randy "The Natural" Couture has postured for a bout against Loyoto Machida because Couture feels he can match up well against the Brazilian's karate based offense. At the age of 47, it is a low risk fight that is a no lose situation for Randy, however it probably isn't Joes Silva's best choice or the top matchup for fans or Machida himself. However, Randy pushed for it and UFC President Dana White as usual, went along with it, and now we will see UFC 129 come to order.
Couture of course got his wish which is not a big surprise lately if you're you're in the Xtreme Couture family. Couture has often spoke out against the UFC and some of their practices, and couple this with his fighting style, and he has earned the reputation as Captain America. If you can't beat them, join them, has seemed to be the UFC's stance when dealing with a star such as Couture or Kimbo Slice or anyone else that is a crowd favorite and sells tickets. Randy seems to have enough clout in the MMA world to make Dana a "yes man" when dealing with Couture's latest hand-picked opponents, hence Machida and Couture are set to meet at the UFC 129 event.
Following the Dan Henderson's knockout win over Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante at the Strikeforce Showtime event, Couture discussed his strategy with the media for taking on Machida. "The goal for me is to cut him off, to force him to fight me, to not let him run around and avoid two rounds of fighting," said Couture of the fellow former UFC light heavyweight champ. "I think he'll engage. I'm going to force him--hopefully, with the cage--to play a little clinch game and pin him against that and make him work from there. That's always been a strength of mine. So, the key is to cut him off and to get my hands on him, though he's not easy to catch up with."
Although this seems to be a very political and possibly canned answer, don't be shocked if the UFC Hall Of Famer takes the fight right to the ground and fight his fight. Randy is a smart enough fighter to know he doesn't match well on his feet with Machida, a lesson learned when trying to stand-up with MMA legend Chuck Liddell, and getting dropped in two fights. Their first fight went right to the ground where Couture was able to expose his will on Chuck.
For his part, Machida told FightersOnly.com recently that he has no intentions of letting Couture, who possesses an impressive and well-documented grappling shrewdness, grab hold of him or force the clinch game.
"He is an Olympic-level wrestler, therefore, I won't play this game with him," said Machida. "We will fight standing or on the ground. There won't be clinch against the cage."
Couture and Machida will meet on April 30 at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at UFC 129. This should be an entertaining fight that all MMA fans can enjoy.
Chris Greenman / Independent Journalist
Pro Fight Network INC. CEO / President
