Couture's name alone commands respect
Brandon Vera is hoping this weekend's trip to the United Kingdom is more enjoyable than his last couple jumps across the pond.
Vera faces MMA legend Randy Couture at UFC 105, which is being held at the Manchester Evening News Arena Saturday. The 32-year-old Muay Thai and wrestling specialist has lost his last two bouts in England, first to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 85 in June 2008 and then to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 in October of last year.
But since that loss to Jardine by way of split decision, Vera has won back-to-back bouts and appears refocused on his MMA career. However, that turnaround isn't enough to convince oddsmakers, who priced Vera as a +110 underdog for this weekend's event. This is the first time Vera has been at plus-money since defeating Frank Mir at UFC 65 in 2006.
Renowend boxing and MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa says that while Vera has looked better in recent fights, Couture's name alone garners the respect of bettors. The 46 year old, who is listed at -140, is a Hall of Fame fighter and will have the British crowd on his side despite looking far past his prime in his two most recent bouts.
?It is really difficult to measure how much Randy Couture's age has caught up with him,? says Oddessa. ?Everytime he competes we question when Father Time will finally take his toll on him.?
Couture, who has never lost three fights in a row, is fighting on a short layoff, losing to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at the end of August. Couture was handled by the bigger Nogueira in that match, getting beat in both standup and on the ground. The savvy wrestler was able to escape many positions in which defeat seemed imminent and salvaged a one-sided loss by decision.
?If Couture had beat Nogueira back in August, he'd probably have come in around -220 (for Saturday),? says Oddessa. ?Many people questioned what Nogueira would show up that night and Couture made Nogueira look good. If Vera wins Saturday, it could put a lid on one the the most successfull careers in UFC history.?
Couture's last two defeats have seen him dominated by stronger fighters on the ground. Brock Lesnar's brute stregnth was too much for the smaller Couture and Nogueira's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is considered the finest in the sport. Saturday's challenger, Vera, doesn't possess either of those weapons.
His best chance against Couture would be to stand up and try to hurt his older opponent. Vera has scored seven of his 11 wins by way of knockout with his most recent KO coming against Mike Patt at UFC 96 in March. He relied on his reach and aggressively attacked with leg kicks, eventually chopping his opponent down and forcing the stoppage in the second round.
Oddessa agress that Vera's plan of attack should be to stand with Couture and avoid getting on the mat with one of the best wrestlers in MMA history.
?Depsite the talk of Vera's wrestling backround, it is night and day against Couture,? says Oddessa. ?Couture is clearly the better wrestler and if the bout takes place on the mat for three rounds, in Couture's comfort zone, it would be difficult to imagine Vera coming away with a victory.?
UFC 105 will take place in Manchester, England at 5:20 pm GMT (12:20 pm ET) and will air on SpikeTV at 8 pm ET.
Picks
Couture vs. Vera: Couture (-140) - Every time we count Couture out, he comes back stronger than ever.
Swick vs. Hardy: Swick (-240) - His relentless attack is too much for most fighters.
Bisping vs. Kang: Kang (-125) - I don't think Bisping will ever be the same after the Hendo KO.
Wilks vs. Brown: Wilks (+135) - The Britt comes up big at home with the submission win.
Pearson vs. Riley: Pearson (+170) - The TUF winner is a live dog at home versus the well-traveled American.
Brandon Vera is hoping this weekend's trip to the United Kingdom is more enjoyable than his last couple jumps across the pond.
Vera faces MMA legend Randy Couture at UFC 105, which is being held at the Manchester Evening News Arena Saturday. The 32-year-old Muay Thai and wrestling specialist has lost his last two bouts in England, first to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 85 in June 2008 and then to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 in October of last year.
But since that loss to Jardine by way of split decision, Vera has won back-to-back bouts and appears refocused on his MMA career. However, that turnaround isn't enough to convince oddsmakers, who priced Vera as a +110 underdog for this weekend's event. This is the first time Vera has been at plus-money since defeating Frank Mir at UFC 65 in 2006.
Renowend boxing and MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa says that while Vera has looked better in recent fights, Couture's name alone garners the respect of bettors. The 46 year old, who is listed at -140, is a Hall of Fame fighter and will have the British crowd on his side despite looking far past his prime in his two most recent bouts.
?It is really difficult to measure how much Randy Couture's age has caught up with him,? says Oddessa. ?Everytime he competes we question when Father Time will finally take his toll on him.?
Couture, who has never lost three fights in a row, is fighting on a short layoff, losing to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at the end of August. Couture was handled by the bigger Nogueira in that match, getting beat in both standup and on the ground. The savvy wrestler was able to escape many positions in which defeat seemed imminent and salvaged a one-sided loss by decision.
?If Couture had beat Nogueira back in August, he'd probably have come in around -220 (for Saturday),? says Oddessa. ?Many people questioned what Nogueira would show up that night and Couture made Nogueira look good. If Vera wins Saturday, it could put a lid on one the the most successfull careers in UFC history.?
Couture's last two defeats have seen him dominated by stronger fighters on the ground. Brock Lesnar's brute stregnth was too much for the smaller Couture and Nogueira's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is considered the finest in the sport. Saturday's challenger, Vera, doesn't possess either of those weapons.
His best chance against Couture would be to stand up and try to hurt his older opponent. Vera has scored seven of his 11 wins by way of knockout with his most recent KO coming against Mike Patt at UFC 96 in March. He relied on his reach and aggressively attacked with leg kicks, eventually chopping his opponent down and forcing the stoppage in the second round.
Oddessa agress that Vera's plan of attack should be to stand with Couture and avoid getting on the mat with one of the best wrestlers in MMA history.
?Depsite the talk of Vera's wrestling backround, it is night and day against Couture,? says Oddessa. ?Couture is clearly the better wrestler and if the bout takes place on the mat for three rounds, in Couture's comfort zone, it would be difficult to imagine Vera coming away with a victory.?
UFC 105 will take place in Manchester, England at 5:20 pm GMT (12:20 pm ET) and will air on SpikeTV at 8 pm ET.
Picks
Couture vs. Vera: Couture (-140) - Every time we count Couture out, he comes back stronger than ever.
Swick vs. Hardy: Swick (-240) - His relentless attack is too much for most fighters.
Bisping vs. Kang: Kang (-125) - I don't think Bisping will ever be the same after the Hendo KO.
Wilks vs. Brown: Wilks (+135) - The Britt comes up big at home with the submission win.
Pearson vs. Riley: Pearson (+170) - The TUF winner is a live dog at home versus the well-traveled American.
