Couture vs Machida

Couture back for more :P  How do you guys think this fight will turn out?  I personally think the way the styles match up that Randy Couture really could pull this off.  Machida is gonna be hard to get ahold of but I think if Randy can get him against the cage or at least cut off the ring he can use his trademark 'dirty boxing' and ground and pound this for a Unanimous Decision win.  What are everyone elses opinions of this fight?

I'll probably side with Machida. I think Couture has had a couple fights that have hidden how much he's slowing down at this age, and it could be even more substantial against Machida.

I think I'm with you on that one but every time I've doubted The Natural he has proven me wrong

Is this official yet or still rumor? I'd probably pick Machida but damn would I love to see the Natural get one more shot at the Title, possibly win it and retire on top!

not official yet

I think couture will be able to pull through. Machida goes for a takedown randy snuffs it pushes him against the fence takes him down and stays on top there for the rest of the fight

I don't see Machida ever going for a takedown against Randy, he's not that stupid. He knows Randy's weakest at striking and uses his effective circling, lunging knees, and pitter patter punches to decision Randy. Machida isn't out to prove he can wrestle, he needs a win desperately and he would go back to his less aggressive style.

This is a pretty solid analysis, the only thing I wonder about is if Machida's style is going to be counteracted by judging.  I know the Rampage/Machida fight was close, but I cant help but think Rampage won the close fight because he was "moving forward."  As shown in that fight and the first BJ/Frankie fight, unless you really crack somebody in each round, counter fighting is a good way to piss away rounds with the way these judges view "moving forward" as the ultimate fight winner.  Silly, but seems like the way things are going.

Certainly I don't think Machidas style helps him in making clear cut decisions but it's worked for him in the past. I can see Randy taking Machida down, he is slowing down but I think he's taken on better fighters before and pulled it out of the bag. Machida is so desperate for a convincing win he'll be out of his comfort zone and make a few mistakes.

This of course is just my opinion so its most likely complete rubbish and Machida will take Randy out in the first round!

I find it hard to choose but i take machida by decision!

I thought couture retired.

I had thought so too.  This could be a rough one for him.

Seems like Couture's retirement talk was a negotiating ploy to get him the fight that he wanted.

This is a VERY interesting match.

Love this fight!  If  Couture will take this fight by decision! I think he is way to well rounded for Machida(Not that Machida isn't a great fighter)

i have randy winning the same way he always does, grinding it out and pounding him...if machida loses, he will go from unbeatable karate genius to losing 3 in a row...but his style wont win him decisions, and randys too smart to pull a rashad evans.

SO EXCITED for this fight. Can't wait to see what Randy's gameplan is. Machida's got a pretty solid clinch game, which I bet we'll see lots of. And it'll be interesting if it hits the ground (or at least I hope it will be). And I always love watching Machida's standup.

Couple things from earlier in the thread:

-I'm not convinced Randy will find it that easy to take Machida down, or that Machida will find it that hard to take Randy down. Machida's takedowns (& his wrestling generally) is so unorthodox (from a western/folkstyle/greco perspective) that he has a lot of success with weird trips & stuff. It's not even judo--how many other guys in the UFC have a sumo background? Zero, I think.

-I really doubt that Machida is going to suddenly become a lot less elusive because of the Rampage decision. That just seems (a) out of character for him & his stolid family/camp, (b) pretty late in his career for such a big shift, and (c) weird for a guy who doesn't seem that down about his performance. I don't think he's ashamed at all about that fight, despite losing.

One thing that nobody's mentioned so far: Couture's ring rust (sort of). Sure, it's not that long since he fought Toney, but when was the last time he fought real competition? Coleman doesn't qualify, sorry. That means you have to go back to the Vera fight in November '09. Might be a factor, although I'd never accuse Randy of anything like mental weakness, so maybe not. Still, as others have already pointed out, the amount he's aged since November '09 is significant at this stage of his life.

Despite my pick & the tone of this post, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Couture wins. I just think the odds are a little better for Machida. 60-65%, maybe.