age Fashion Show at Mix with Randy Couture

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UFC 94 Picks from Randy Couture

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Chuck Liddell on Couture, Rashad and Retirement

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Fox News at UFC 91

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Randy Couture Post UFC 91 Interview

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Where Do We Go Now?

Saturday night it seemed like the chorus from that once famous Guns and Roses tune, Sweet Child of Mine, was playing in my head no stop. Following the Brock Lesnar hammer fist pound out of my favorite fighter, I felt quite unnerved about his future prospects in the sprot of MMA. Who does he fight? Suddenly fights against Fedor and Big Nog don't really appeal to promoters and all the heavyweight prospects appear to be built around the Brock Lesnar mold. Make no mistake, the lesson learned Saturday night was that size, strength and speed will ultimately trump age and experience. Granted, that lesson is learned every year in NFL training camps when young rookies take the spots of crafty veterans, but in the sport of MMA it seemed that Randy's return would prove the sport to be different from any other. Unfortunately, those of us that fell for that fantasy were sadly mistaken. The fight game, just like the NFL, is Darwinian evolution in the spotlight for millions of TV viewer to see live. We've seen it with Ken Shamrock, Don Frye, and Royce Gracie. Skill, technique and experience may keep you in the fight game for a long time, but ultimately someone younger, stronger and with a newer set of skills will take your place at the top. This may be Randy's time, because I can't seem to answer that question. Where does he go from here? Sure there are fights to be had and money to be made, but why do it if he may never get a legit shot at the belt again and if he did get one, it could be 12-18 months away. I love to watch the guy fight and it seems like he has rebounded from every big defeat in his career, but how many more rebounds does he have? In short, where do we go now?

MMA Fix Presents UFC 91

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Sportscenter Interview with Randy Couture

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50 Cent new song "Get Up" featured in UFC 91

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The Scorpian King Will Prevail

I know, I know not really an exciting or an original pick considering that the Natural is probably the most liked fighter of All-Time and is an underdog, if only in Vegas terms, but I still believe that he is the toughest guy on the planet to beat in a title fight. Lesnar has some very obvious advantages, which anyone with two working eyeballs can see. He is a massive human being, who moves as quickly as someone a tenth of his size and is probably the most powerful person in the sport. Regardless of what you think of his years in the WWE, Lesnar is an accomplished athlete and was skilled enough to get a shot at the NFL without any college football experience. He trains with one of the toughest competitors in the sport, Sean Sherk, so it is pretty safe to say that the guy will be in shape for the fight and focused. Hmmm? Sounds like Randy is up against a guy that is bigger, faster, stronger, younger and in shape, how could he possibly win? The answer is knowledge and experience. Randy won't be as disrespectful to Lesnar's physical skills as Frank Mir, let Brock get top position and hope to submit him. He won't be as stupid as Heath Herring was to test one of Brock's punches in hopes of proving his iron chin. No, I believe Randy is going to design his game plan to use Brocks biggest strengths against him. I am guessing he'll probably make Brock work on his feet the first round or two like he did with Tim Sylvia. Use some good head movement and lad a few jabs, but mostly frustrate Brock because regardless of his power, Lesnar is not sharp and compact with his punches. The message is simple, I can make you look bad, which will get Brock fired up and over anxious. At that point, Randy is hoping Lesnar switches to Donkey Kong mode and as long as Couture isn't mounted or pressed against the cage there will be openings for submissions. Which ones? Not sure, but I am quite positive he'll catch Brock during some sort of transition or if Couture is able utilize a trip or a throw and land himself in good position. I can't say what round or how, but I expect Randy to force Brock to tap.

More thoughts from Michael Rome at Bloodyelbow.com are here

Randy Couture and Cael Sanderson Working Out With Undefeated

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Randy Couture & Brock Lesnar On Mike & Mike

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Randy Couture trains for UFC 91: Couture Vs Lesnar

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UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar Countdown Preview

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Brock Lesnar video fight talk UFC 91

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Randy Couture video fight talk UFC 91

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Randy Couture Talks About Brock Lesnar and Driving

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Randy Couture on Affliction, Ect

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MMA fighters on Election Day 2008

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Randy Couture talks UFC 91

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