- Jun 23, 2008
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From the mmajunkie forums:
"Randy is 46 years old and hasn't won in 2 years.* He's 5-5 since turning 40 years old, and 0-2 since turning 45.* His last win was against a guy that was hyped up after knocking out an overrated Cro Cop (who has Gonzaga beat since?).* Before that, he beat a guy that just lost to Ray Mercer, a guy who won a medal in the 1988 olympics, and was having his first MMA fight at age 48.* I understand that he's this "ageless wonder", but that was okay at 42, not 46.* He's older than the oldest athlete in major sports (Jamie Moyer of the Phillies).* I love Randy to death, but it's time to face facts...it's over.* I don't see him being able to use dirty boxing against a Muay Thai champion.* Vera will use his distance and age to tire out Randy and knock him out late 2nd/early 3rd.* I'm actually surprised that Vera isn't a -220 favorite."
"I think the match will be won against the fence. If Randy can avoid the knees and dirtybox effectively into a takedown, he's got it. If Vera can land those knees, keep the fight away from the fence and turn it into a glorified kickboxing match, he's gonna pick Randy apart I think."
and finally:
"Couture will need to control Vera for at least 2 rounds, avoid Vera's muay thai strikes and take down a fighter who's been grappling/wrestling since high school. Vera's got the clearer path to victory being the much better striker from a distance, and should outlast Couture in the standing clinch if Couture's chin was just as weak as it was vs Nog (I also think that it was a grazing shot from Lesnar that put Couture on the ground before the hammerfists). Plus Couture cutting to 205 at his age may take a toll on his body. I would set the line at Vera -150 Couture +120 personally."
I agree, for the most part, with the quotes above.
This fight reminds me so much of Shogun and Lidell earlier this year. Everyone was saying what a gift Chuck was and how shitty Rua looked against Coleman. But Rua was younger, more athletic, a better striker, and had more ways to win. Two fights later, Shogun is now the uncrowned light heavyweight champ.
Again here, we have the myth of a once great fighter keeping the line close. Vera has MORE WAYS TO WIN. At the odds, the play is Vera or nothing at all.
Paulie, I totally agree with you on Couture's punch resistance. Nog, who is not as good a striker as Vera, knocked Randy's dick off. Everyone keeps saying how great Couture looked in that fight (Dana said it on the countdown show). Well I think he looked like SHIT. He is one tough SOB. But the reality is he can't take a shot like he used to and he is declining at a much faster rate now (hell, he is 46 years old!).
Vera KILLED me when he fought Jardine (even though I think he won the fight). But he CLEARLY has the dynamic abilities necessary to win this fight. He can dominate from the outside with leg kicks. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stop Randy. If Vera loses this fight, he will only have himself to blame. This fight is made for him to SHINE against an aging champ on the downward spiral.
VERA for me. LARGE at EVEN MONEY. Just my take. Good luck crew.
to read more mmajunkie breakdown:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/16829/performifys-picks-for-ufc-105.mma
"Randy is 46 years old and hasn't won in 2 years.* He's 5-5 since turning 40 years old, and 0-2 since turning 45.* His last win was against a guy that was hyped up after knocking out an overrated Cro Cop (who has Gonzaga beat since?).* Before that, he beat a guy that just lost to Ray Mercer, a guy who won a medal in the 1988 olympics, and was having his first MMA fight at age 48.* I understand that he's this "ageless wonder", but that was okay at 42, not 46.* He's older than the oldest athlete in major sports (Jamie Moyer of the Phillies).* I love Randy to death, but it's time to face facts...it's over.* I don't see him being able to use dirty boxing against a Muay Thai champion.* Vera will use his distance and age to tire out Randy and knock him out late 2nd/early 3rd.* I'm actually surprised that Vera isn't a -220 favorite."
"I think the match will be won against the fence. If Randy can avoid the knees and dirtybox effectively into a takedown, he's got it. If Vera can land those knees, keep the fight away from the fence and turn it into a glorified kickboxing match, he's gonna pick Randy apart I think."
and finally:
"Couture will need to control Vera for at least 2 rounds, avoid Vera's muay thai strikes and take down a fighter who's been grappling/wrestling since high school. Vera's got the clearer path to victory being the much better striker from a distance, and should outlast Couture in the standing clinch if Couture's chin was just as weak as it was vs Nog (I also think that it was a grazing shot from Lesnar that put Couture on the ground before the hammerfists). Plus Couture cutting to 205 at his age may take a toll on his body. I would set the line at Vera -150 Couture +120 personally."
I agree, for the most part, with the quotes above.
This fight reminds me so much of Shogun and Lidell earlier this year. Everyone was saying what a gift Chuck was and how shitty Rua looked against Coleman. But Rua was younger, more athletic, a better striker, and had more ways to win. Two fights later, Shogun is now the uncrowned light heavyweight champ.
Again here, we have the myth of a once great fighter keeping the line close. Vera has MORE WAYS TO WIN. At the odds, the play is Vera or nothing at all.
Paulie, I totally agree with you on Couture's punch resistance. Nog, who is not as good a striker as Vera, knocked Randy's dick off. Everyone keeps saying how great Couture looked in that fight (Dana said it on the countdown show). Well I think he looked like SHIT. He is one tough SOB. But the reality is he can't take a shot like he used to and he is declining at a much faster rate now (hell, he is 46 years old!).
Vera KILLED me when he fought Jardine (even though I think he won the fight). But he CLEARLY has the dynamic abilities necessary to win this fight. He can dominate from the outside with leg kicks. I wouldn't be surprised to see him stop Randy. If Vera loses this fight, he will only have himself to blame. This fight is made for him to SHINE against an aging champ on the downward spiral.
VERA for me. LARGE at EVEN MONEY. Just my take. Good luck crew.
to read more mmajunkie breakdown:
http://mmajunkie.com/news/16829/performifys-picks-for-ufc-105.mma
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