OFFICIAL: Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar on Nov 15

[CPT]

I thought this rumour would have gone away by now, but it hasn't, so I thought I'd bring it here for discussion.

Some apparently credible guys on various MMA sites have reported that the UFC and Randy Couture will or have come to an agreement to have Randy fight at UFC 91 in Portland, Oregon.

Information that Randy has recently started training again seems to back this up (though it surprises me that he would have ever stopped).

The names mentioned most often as possible opponents are Fedor and Brock Lesnar.

The rumoured fight between Lesnar and Kongo is off, as Kongo is having surgery on his shoulder and will be out for the rest of the year.

I don't necessarily believe it, but I thought I'd post it anyway, as this board could use some excitement.

[jTF2]

I'll believe it when I see it. But this is definetly a megafight if its Lesnar and Couture.

[CPT]

I'm in the same boat, but this thing has some legs, and is more credible than the usual message board rumour.

Here are some links confirming that Couture and the UFC are at least in talks to have this happen.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/8/29/60 ... ure-update
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

[sh00n]

Lesnar and Couture would be insane. I'd still rather see Fedor take on Couture, though.

[CPT]

Looks like we may get both!

http://mmajunkie.com/news/5176/sources- ... eekend.mma

The long-rumored heavyweight superfight between UFC champion Randy Couture (16-8 MMA, 8-5 UFC) and WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko (28-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is currently being discussed for an as-yet-unspecified date in January or February of 2009.

Sources inside Couture's Xtreme Couture camp today informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) of the ongoing negotiations between the UFC and both fighters.

The fight is far from a done deal. Many of the same issues that prevented Emelianenko from signing with the UFC during previous negotiations must still be ironed out. But it appears that the UFC and representatives for both Couture and Emelianenko are working towards bringing the two legends together for a Feb. 2 bout.

Additionally, the same sources are reporting that Couture is currently "actively training for a fight."

Couture has remained in shape throughout his self-imposed 12-month layoff, but his workouts are now reportedly being geared towards an apparent upcoming bout.

Adding to previous speculation that Couture's return may be on Nov. 15 at UFC 91 against Brock Lesnar, Xtreme Couture is also reportedly making travel arrangements to bring in several "larger heavyweights" as sparring partners for Couture.

Sources indicate the Emelianenko bout is contingent upon Couture defeating Lesnar in November.

MMA Rated first reported the possibility of Emelianenko as Couture's second opponent after Lesnar. That report also stated that the UFC hopes to make an announcement regarding a new contract with Couture as early as Tuesday.

[cowboyronnie]

how would they get Fedor??? non-exclusive contract with Affliction, or something?

[CPT]

how would they get Fedor??? non-exclusive contract with Affliction, or something?

I thought the main reason Fedor wouldn't sign with the UFC was because of their exclusive contracts, so I don't see why he would have turned around and signed with Affliction for around the same money (maybe even less). Actually, I think all of Affliction's contracts might be non-exclusive, although I've heard something about Fedor re-signing for 3 more fights with them, which includes a US non-compete clause. I'd also heard that after his first fight with them that Fedor was a free agent again, so who knows.

If the new contract with a US non-compete clause is true, it might not be possible, or it could be the main event of a show outside of the US (Japan? Russia? maybe even Canada?). It would make more sense if it was non-compete with US based promotions, but even then, maybe a co-promotion with M-1 could get around that.

I admit the Fedor part is pretty confusing, because he's always been adamant about non-exclusive contracts, and that's not the way the UFC does business, unless something has changed on either side.

[harry lockheart]

I thought the main reason Fedor wouldn't sign with the UFC was because of their exclusive contracts, so I don't see why he would have turned around and signed with Affliction for around the same money (maybe even less). Actually, I think all of Affliction's contracts might be non-exclusive, although I've heard something about Fedor re-signing for 3 more fights with them, which includes a US non-compete clause. I'd also heard that after his first fight with them that Fedor was a free agent again, so who knows.

If the new contract with a US non-compete clause is true, it might not be possible, or it could be the main event of a show outside of the US (Japan? Russia? maybe even Canada?). It would make more sense if it was non-compete with US based promotions, but even then, maybe a co-promotion with M-1 could get around that.

I admit the Fedor part is pretty confusing, because he's always been adamant about non-exclusive contracts, and that's not the way the UFC does business, unless something has changed on either side.

That would be a pretty huge gamble for the UFC to make. If Fedor beats Couture (as most would expect), you have just given an assload of publicity to the undisputed best heavyweight on Earth who is locked into a long term deal with Affliction.

If I'm Dana, I'd rather that happens on an Affliction card with a maximum of 200,000 PPV buys (even that would be a North American record for a non-UFC MMA PPV, so this is an optimistic estimate). You'd have to expect that a Randy/Fedor matchup with the Zuffa marketing behind it (can you say an all night Fedor domination marathon on Spike?) probably gets close to the Chuck/Tito numbers (a million buys). And then send him off to fight for your only major American competitor? Business-wise, why would he do that? It would be so out of character for Dana unless he is out of his mind and thinks that Randy would dominate Fedor.

The only way I see this situation as a possibility is if Affliction has no timetable to force Fedor into fighting for them, which wouldn't be an insane notion considering the loosely restrictive deal his management made with M-1. If Fedor beat Randy and can keep fighting for the UFC out of the country (Canada or England, probably) for any length of time, Affliction would be absolutely screwed. With the salary structure the way it is now for them, they would be smart to just fold. They are paying their fighters more than the UFC and bringing in about a fifth. This is a recipe for red ink. Fedor is the only thing that makes them noteworthy. It sounds like just the kind of cut throat thing that the UFC would do. It sounds like a pretty far fetched scenario, though, so I don't expect the UFC to be partnering with anyone ever. I know I wouldn't if I were them.

[sh00n]

Thanks for posting that article, CPT. Super exciting news.

[CPT]

It's sounding more like Lesnar vs. Couture at UFC 91 could be for real, but beyond that is where the details get sketchy.

They may have come to an agreement where if Randy does this fight, he is then released from his contract with the UFC and free to pursue the Fedor fight. At the same time, whether it is part of the deal or not, the UFC is trying to make the Randy/Fedor fight happen in the UFC.

That is what one of the first articles about the situation indicated, and it was confirmed on the Live Audio Wrestling radio show last night, though they could have just been going off that article.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

There's the article. From that, it looks like Randy may have approached the UFC with this as a possible resolution to their legal dispute. A compromise where Randy does one fight to fulfil his contract with the UFC, instead of the 2 that are left on the deal according to Zuffa, and the 0 that he would be doing if they didn't come to an agreement.

[Chach]

Both scenarios make sense. Fighting Lesnar might not be the idea for Randy but if he were to win, the UFC would either get a Fedor/Couture match-up set-up somewhere or they would release him. I could see an either/or situation, buying the UFC time to get a deal together with Fedor and if they can't get one together, they would release Couture from his contract. As Harry pointed out above, having some sort of non-exclusive UFC contract outside of the US (Canada, England, RUSSIA???) could be in the works because that would really put the screws to Affliction. That seems like such a Dana move. it might be one of those situations where the UFC won't actually make money off of Fedor but if they can parlay his fighting for the UFC into a death nail for Affliction then I can totally see that coming down the pike. mahalo
~Chach~

[CPT]

From UFC.com

Major UFC Announcement Today at 3pm ET
UFC President Dana White will hold a media conference call later today to make a major UFC announcement. The call will take place at 3pm ET/12Noon PT. Check back with UFC.com for the full report.

This fits the timetable mentioned in several articles, so maybe it is the Randy news. Then again, major announcements by the UFC are often disappointing. Let's hope this one isn't.

[harry lockheart]

Man, this is a scary fight for Couture. It will likely be a 3 round fight non title bout, which doesn't work in his favor. Over a years worth of ring rust at age 45? How long can he keep doing this? I hope for his sake he did a cycle or two of roids during his downtime. Otherwise, I don't see how Lesnar doesn't lay and pray his way to a victory.

[harry lockheart]

A bunch of folks on message boards that claim to be in on the conference call are saying that Dana just announced Brock versus Randy in Portland.

[harry lockheart]

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/

While reported rumors had been running rampant in recent days, UFC President Dana White made it official on Tuesday afternoon that the promotion’s estrange heavyweight champion Randy Couture has re-signed with the promotion.

White also announced that Couture will be defending his heavyweight title vs. Brock Lesnar in his return on Saturday, Nov. 15 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Couture is believed to have signed a multi-fight contract as White said that Couture will continue to fight for the UFC regardless of whether he wins or lose vs. Lesnar.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will remain the UFC interim heavyweight champion and will defend his title vs. Frank Mir in December. According to White, the winner of Nogueira vs. Mir will likely fight the winner of Couture vs. Lesnar to determine an undisputed heavyweight champion.

It says Las Vegas but everything that has come out prior to this lists the 15th as the Portland show, so who knows. They have been updating pretty fast on FOP, so maybe they made a mistake.

Already scheduled for that event are Rampage versus either Shogun or Wand and Florian/Stevenson. Not a bad card......

[SpReEfOrAlL]

Wow. Lesnar getting a title shot after 2 fights. . . Kinda ridic. That being said, I think Lesnar is gonna beat Randy. Too strong, too fast and I don't see Randy stopping any type of take down. Add that Lesnar has absolutely nothing to lose and it could be a bad night for Randy.

[Headliner]

im stoked.
This is great great news.
But like said above, Couture is 45, and this down time could be horrible for him.

It will be great to see him get end his career like this, with two HUGE fights.
I wonder how Brock will feel being the 'Heel' in the fight though. He seemed to be really into trying to get the crowd behind him last fight. But fight fans will be far and away in Randy's corner.

[CPT]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/coutur ... fold-14261

Six-time UFC champion Randy Couture (Pictures) will return to the Octagon this November, ending an 11-month legal battle with the promotion he’s called his home for the last 11 years.

As part of a new three-fight contract with Zuffa LLC, parent company to the UFC, Couture (16-8) will face Brock Lesnar (Pictures) (2-1) at UFC 91 on Nov. 15 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas. The bout will be waged over five rounds for Couture’s heavyweight championship title.

Under the new agreement, the UFC will also attempt to lock down a bout between Couture and No. 1 ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in 2009. The highly anticipated bout has been heralded as the fight of the decade.

We’re gonna do everything we can to make that fight happen,” said White. “Emelianenko’s under another contract right now to another promotion and if we can work it out with the other promotion we will, but we’re not going to screw around with another contract.”

It is believed Emelianenko recently signed an exclusive U.S. contract with the rival promotion Affliction Entertainment. It is not known how many fights Emelianenko has committed to. White said he would not be open to a co-promotion effort with the rival organization.

So there you have it.

Randy on a new 3 fight deal. First fight is Brock Lesnar for the UFC HW Title.

2nd fight, if he wins, would be vs. Noguiera/Mir to unify the titles.

3rd fight, if he wins that, may be against Fedor, who could be free again by that point.

There's nothing official about those being the fights, that's just me putting the pieces together, and they would really be the only fights that make sense. However, if he loses (and I kind of think he will), then who knows what happens.

My guess would be, if he loses the fight to Brock, he gets a bit of a tune up fight (Kongo? Herring?), or maybe fights another up and comer (Velasquez, Carwin, or someone we don't even know yet). He could even fight the loser of Nog/Mir.

I think his 3rd fight will be against Fedor no matter what, and that will be the last fight of his career win or lose.

I agree that it is too early for Lesnar to get a title shot, and he hasn't really earned it, but **** it, it's a fight I want to see, and I really think he's the favourite, so maybe it doesn't really matter if he's earned it.

[harry lockheart]

I wonder how Brock will feel being the 'Heel' in the fight though. He seemed to be really into trying to get the crowd behind him last fight. But fight fans will be far and away in Randy's corner.

Well, on the conference call he responded to Fedor questions (even those not directed to him) with "Who gives a Sh*% about F*&%ing Fedor" and "Who cares" and "Not this Sh*% again"....... Before the Mir fight he had the famous, "He broke Tim Sylvia's arm.....WHO CARES?!?". After beating Herring he acted like he was roping him and then laughed in his face and shook his finger at him.....

So, I don't think he's going to have a probelm with it.

[sh00n]

Lesnar has all the tools to turn into the most unstoppable fighter in the world - but he's such a dumb ass. I want to cheer for him, but I just can't because he's too much of a moron. I will admit I screamed and stood up when he rocked Heath with that first shot, though.