Couture vs Sylvia March 3rd

[TheDfromGC]

like the guy and everything but fighting sylvia is gonna be risky. gonna be interesting nonetheless

[armbar83]

is this official?

[Hunter]

I got couture, I think he is gonna take the ud. His clinch is gonna be right on tims lower back. I really see couture putting Tim on his back for the majority of this fight. I see him beating AA to then loosing to crocop and dropping down for a fight with Tito.

[TheDfromGC]

yea its confirmed by randy himself. he signed 4 fight contract. as for the fight its impossible to call. randys gotta get inside to clinch, with somebody 6'8, getting inside isnt gonna be easy, sylvia will probably try to do same plan he had with monson which is stay on feet and keep the guy back with jabs. its funny though, sylvia already is one of the most hated fighters and now if he were to beat one of the most famous/likeable guys in ufc hes gonna be on a whole new level of being hated, i dont think one person in the ufc crowd at 68 will be rooting for sylvia at this fight.

[BITTAPART2]

woul;d love to see randy take this one but it aint gonna happen. sylvia drops couture round 1

[rar1015]

This is just going to be retarded IMO. Out of everyone in the UFC.......why Tim Sylvia.

[MFT81]

yea its confirmed by randy himself. he signed 4 fight contract. as for the fight its impossible to call. randys gotta get inside to clinch, with somebody 6'8, getting inside isnt gonna be easy, sylvia will probably try to do same plan he had with monson which is stay on feet and keep the guy back with jabs. its funny though, sylvia already is one of the most hated fighters and now if he were to beat one of the most famous/likeable guys in ufc hes gonna be on a whole new level of being hated, i dont think one person in the ufc crowd at 68 will be rooting for sylvia at this fight.

Why is sylvia a hated man?

[zodiac666]

This is just going to be retarded IMO. Out of everyone in the UFC.......why Tim Sylvia.

why not? if he's going to try to make a comeback as a heavyweight who should he fight?

[ect0m0rph]

I would love to see this fight, I would take sylvia but you never know with couture he manages to do the impossible some times

[$$TML 4 LIFE$$]

Id love to c couture win this fight but I jus dont c it happening. If Tim actually wants to finish the fight for a change instead of just winning a decision, Id say Tim wins 1rst round knockout.

[Sepsis]

in randy's own words:





By Randy Couture

Dear Fans,

Welcome to my first edition of what I hope will become a regular column for me here at The Fight Network with my “Couture Chronicles.” What better way to begin my journey with you then on the night I end my year-long retirement from competing in the sport I adore – mixed martial arts.

As many of you watched tonight on Spike TV, I officially announced my return to the Octagon to face UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia at March 3’s UFC 68 “The Uprising,” which will be held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

I’m sure there are a lot of questions regarding my decision, my reasons for coming back. I can tell you a year ago, I was dead serious about my retirement from the sport I’d made my name in.

Standing in the Octagon, just minutes after my second loss to UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell, I raised my gloves in the air with the intention to never step inside the cage again as a competitor.

The last year has been a miraculous one for me. Thanks to the support of you, the fans, and your unwavering faith in me, I have become a proud ambassador for the sport.

I competed in and finished my first adventure race in March: kayaking down the majestic Colorado River; trekking 40 miles through the Moab, Utah mountain terrain; rappelling some 275 feet down its side; and finishing it off with a six-mile run.

In July, I traveled some 22 hours to Iraq and experienced firsthand, the lives of the brave men and women defending our country.

I had my first speaking role in a major studio motion picture with Rob Schneider, and visited Monaco in September, training His Majesty’s personal bodyguards.

Most gratifying of all, I’ve had the opportunity to visit America from coast-to-coast, representing the sport through countless seminars and personal appearances, shaking hands with old and new MMA fans alike.

The first six months of retirement, I absolutely was happy. The divorce settled, the dust settled, and on a personal note, I felt a lot more like myself. In that time, I got to settle a lot of things that were going on with my family and my ex-wife and all this other stuff that was a huge emotional distraction for me. My wife Kim was a huge piece of getting me through that and she had her own trials and tribulations through that whole thing as well. We both supported each other and we felt like we came out the other side.

Then six months ago, a little itch came over me. Six months ago, the idea to start competing again in something became real for me and the thing I feel like I’m best at is fighting.

I definitely questioned the decision, went back-and-forth. Friends were constantly texting me, “You need to come back and beat the giant. You need to come back and be the heavyweight champion again. You look healthier and you look like yourself again at heavyweight. Get your butt in shape and come back and beat the giant.”

Even Kim said, “You can beat these guys. You should go back and fight Chuck Liddell or fight Tito Ortiz again. You can beat Tim Sylvia. Look at that heavyweight. You can compete with that heavyweight.” My wife was as excited about the sport and me making a comeback as anybody. Returning briefly to the spotlight to face Ronaldo “Jacare” de Souza for a grappling match in the Professional Submission League didn’t hurt things either.

Sitting cageside at UFC 65 on November 18, with the deafening crowds at Sacramento’s Arco Arena building into delirium, I made up my mind. Watching UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia fight Jeff Monson, knowing both competitors very well, that’s really when the thought took hold and I became serious about it.


I was giving Tim the benefit of the doubt against Andrei Arlovski a few months earlier. Andrei is a very explosive fighter and with both fighters having knocked each other out, a conservative approach to a guy like Andrei was probably warranted. I thought that both guys fought the same way. They both fought not to lose rather than go out and take a risk and really get after it and fight to do something spectacular and win that championship.

Tim turned around and kind of took the same approach with Monson after he clearly dominated the first couple of rounds, not just on its feet, but by eliminating the only worry and hope Jeff had for winning the fight on the ground. Tim basically answered the question: can Sylvia go with Jeff Monson on the ground? Not only could he go with him; he had him in a triangle and everything else. I think at that point I expected Tim to show that same fervor that he showed against “Cabbage” and Ricco Rodriguez and in some of his other fights when he was aspiring to be the heavyweight champion. He was clearly the superior striker and again, took that same conservative demeanor, not to lose, instead of trying to put an exclamation point on his performance.

I think just seeing that and analyzing that made me realize that I could get in there and I could beat these guys.

In the last few weeks, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic has come on the radar, obviously another top fighter who’d be another interesting fight. Tim’s standing there with the title and needing an opponent, and is also, I think, an interesting and formidable opponent.

It has always been about the competition for me. These are some interesting fights. These fights excite me. These fights challenge me. Even at 43 years of age, I have more things I can accomplish and more things that I can do. In my opinion, I can still compete with these guys and beat them.

Am I doing the right thing? Is this stupid? Is this another Michael Jordan-esque stunt, another pro athlete that can’t let go? I don’t feel like that. I’ve enjoyed doing commentary and all the other things that have kept me busy. I don’t think it’s a huge issue of letting go.

Hell, maybe I’m just kidding myself and Tim’s going to point it out to me. I don’t think that’s the case. I guess we’ll find out on March 3. Maybe I just don’t have it anymore and I’m just as crazy as everyone thinks I am.

If you feel this legend should stay retired, then let this “old man” live out his glory days, at least one more time. If you believe I’ve still got in me, like I believe I do, then come along for the ride. Regardless, I will fight my heart out for you come March 3.

I just feel like I’ve got more fighting in me to do.

###

Visit Randy Couture’s official Web site at www.thenatural.tv, his supplement line at www.couturenutrition.com, and his clothing line at www.xtremecouture.tv

POSTED -- 01/12/07

[Hunter]

yea its confirmed by randy himself. he signed 4 fight contract. as for the fight its impossible to call. randys gotta get inside to clinch, with somebody 6'8, getting inside isnt gonna be easy, sylvia will probably try to do same plan he had with monson which is stay on feet and keep the guy back with jabs. its funny though, sylvia already is one of the most hated fighters and now if he were to beat one of the most famous/likeable guys in ufc hes gonna be on a whole new level of being hated, i dont think one person in the ufc crowd at 68 will be rooting for sylvia at this fight.

Tim is not 6'8 probably closer to 6'6 all promations lie about how tall fighters are esp when they are tall to began with. Couture will get inside its not that hard assurio silva did and he is a terrible wrestler. You can compare jeff and randy becouse Jeff is a wash out and never really acomplished anything in mma. Randy has accomplished alot in mma. Also you cant compare there wreslting styles. Randy will win, fight AA and win Fighter crocop and lose and drop down fight tito and win.

[Sepsis]

Tim is not 6'8 probably closer to 6'6 all promations lie about how tall fighters are esp when they are tall to began with. Couture will get inside its not that hard assurio silva did and he is a terrible wrestler. You can compare jeff and randy becouse Jeff is a wash out and never really acomplished anything in mma. Randy has accomplished alot in mma. Also you cant compare there wreslting styles. Randy will win, fight AA and win Fighter crocop and lose and drop down fight tito and win.

well i hope it goes exactly as you said. i wish that guy all the success in the world. and if it goes like you said and he beats tito, his legacy will be even better than it is now.

[CJC1981]

woul;d love to see randy take this one but it aint gonna happen. sylvia drops couture round 1

I don't know about round 1 but i think there is a high probability of randy getting KO'd.

[Hunter]

well i hope it goes exactly as you said. i wish that guy all the success in the world. and if it goes like you said and he beats tito, his legacy will be even better than it is now.

I dont see how randy can lose to tito. Randy is like tito but better. Randy in the wrestling aspect(tito's bread and butter) laughs at tito. Tito wrestled Junior college, Randy was greco alternate and a 3 or 4 time d1 all american. I believed he finished 2nd once or twice. Striking tito has shown improved striking but nothing that tells me he is leaps and bounds ahead of Couture. They are prob even in striking. Couture has never abused his body so conditioning wise Randy would be right on par with tito. It comes down to wrestling and couture is 10x the wrestler tito is. AA nearly got taken by pe de pano. I see Randy putting AA on his back for the majority of the fight. I think he will sylvia and AA. I wont watch if he fights crocop, he cant win and I the Ko that will ensue will be ugly. I am a Randy nut hugger but I see him if he fights the fighters I mentioned going 3-1 on his return.

[Chitown Raider]

I'm going to witness this UFC live, I can't wait.

[TheDfromGC]

Tim is not 6'8 probably closer to 6'6 all promations lie about how tall fighters are esp when they are tall to began with. Couture will get inside its not that hard assurio silva did and he is a terrible wrestler. You can compare jeff and randy becouse Jeff is a wash out and never really acomplished anything in mma. Randy has accomplished alot in mma. Also you cant compare there wreslting styles. Randy will win, fight AA and win Fighter crocop and lose and drop down fight tito and win.

everybody wants randy to win but hes gonna be the underdog. randy at age 35 would beat sylvia, at almost 10 years later its another story. i predict sylvia ko round 1.

[Hunter]

everybody wants randy to win but hes gonna be the underdog. randy at age 35 would beat sylvia, at almost 10 years later its another story. i predict sylvia ko round 1.

You are right he is the under dog, no doubt. I am taking this in on a style vs style match up. We also remember randy went through a very nasty divorce and some people close to him said he even thought about suicide. When he fought chuck he had switched teams and the dust of the divorce was still in the air. Randy is going to be beat Sylvia.

[maxout6]

I wasnt impressed with Randy last fight. I'm concerned hes going to be embarrassed by Syliva...unless he gets him to the ground which will be his best strategy by far...

[TheDfromGC]

I wasnt impressed with Randy last fight. I'm concerned hes going to be embarrassed by Syliva...unless he gets him to the ground which will be his best strategy by far...

i like randy alot more and would like to see him win but i just dont see it happening

[TheDfromGC]

this matchup reminds me of hughes vs gracie. im not comparing skill of randy couture, hes much better and will be much more competition, im talking about the mindset. many people hoped for some miraculous thing to happen and gracie to pull off the win because he was such a legend of the sport . unfortunately when the fight happened, he got annialated, it was depressing to watch. hopefully this fight doesnt turn out the same way.

[Logan13]

Tim is not 6'8 probably closer to 6'6 all promations lie about how tall fighters are esp when they are tall to began with. Couture will get inside its not that hard assurio silva did and he is a terrible wrestler. You can compare jeff and randy becouse Jeff is a wash out and never really acomplished anything in mma. Randy has accomplished alot in mma. Also you cant compare there wreslting styles. Randy will win, fight AA and win Fighter crocop and lose and drop down fight tito and win.

I know Tim, and he is all of 6'8".

[Logan13]

I dont see how randy can lose to tito. Randy is like tito but better. Randy in the wrestling aspect(tito's bread and butter) laughs at tito. Tito wrestled Junior college, Randy was greco alternate and a 3 or 4 time d1 all american. I believed he finished 2nd once or twice. Striking tito has shown improved striking but nothing that tells me he is leaps and bounds ahead of Couture. They are prob even in striking. Couture has never abused his body so conditioning wise Randy would be right on par with tito. It comes down to wrestling and couture is 10x the wrestler tito is. AA nearly got taken by pe de pano. I see Randy putting AA on his back for the majority of the fight. I think he will sylvia and AA. I wont watch if he fights crocop, he cant win and I the Ko that will ensue will be ugly. I am a Randy nut hugger but I see him if he fights the fighters I mentioned going 3-1 on his return.

I agree, Randy would beat Tito. And I also will not watch if he steps in the ring with CroCop!

[CJC1981]

You are right he is the under dog, no doubt. I am taking this in on a style vs style match up. We also remember randy went through a very nasty divorce and some people close to him said he even thought about suicide. When he fought chuck he had switched teams and the dust of the divorce was still in the air. Randy is going to be beat Sylvia.

I like randy, and i hope i'm wrong, but i see randy getting KO'd in this one.

[jridepb3]

i think sylvia is going to win this no doubt

[Flextime333]

well i hope it goes exactly as you said. i wish that guy all the success in the world. and if it goes like you said and he beats tito, his legacy will be even better than it is now.

Ummm anybody remember Couture literally spanking Titos ass in the final round when he had only seconds to go in his convincing decision over the Huntington Beach Bitch Boy?

[rar1015]

Ummm anybody remember Couture literally spanking Titos ass in the final round when he had only seconds to go in his convincing decision over the Huntington Beach Bitch Boy?

Age takes a toll on a fighter after a while so we shall see!

[j3374]

Randy was better than Josh Barnett and Ricco Rodriguez. He lost to them because they were too big and strong for him. I think Tim's going to be too big for him also. I'll be glad if I'm wrong though.

[gottibme]

couture is done,he should stayed retired,If you beat liddel once how do you get blown out the next 2 times,getting out of retirement is the worst thing he could do,I hope sylvia beats on him

[Humanimal]

I guess everybody forgot that RANDY WAS AN UNDERDOG IN EVERY FIGHT UNTIL AFTER HE BEAT TITO! The people counting him out are the same people who picked Tito to win, and after jumped on the Randy bandwagon.

First of all, Randy's conditioning is second to none. Monson by comparison may be a better submission guy, but Randy kills when it comes to clinch, takedowns, and ground and pound, which is exactly what is needed for Randy to defeat Sylvia.

I'm not counting Sylvia out at all, but if Randy can get him down in the first, it's going to be a long night of ground and pound- Sylvia being on the receiving end.

Bottom line, looking at all the fighters Tim has faced, none of them are of the caliber Randy is.

[Minimart]

i think is going to be randy in the end he knows what its like to be and underdog i mean look at him when he fought vitor belfore and won i mean just cause hes aged a little bit dosent mean he cant whip tim syliva. And tim loves his belt way to much he fight not to lose he dosent fight to win i mean alot of his fights are won buy decisions or in later rounds i see couture pulling this one out and shocking the mma world agin

good luck randy

[Humanimal]

YEAH OLD THREAD I KNOW BUT I DON'T CARE. RANDY IS THE FV<KING MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!