The Natural is back…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
We are one step closer to finding out who the real MMA heavyweight champion is. Randy Couture is coming back to the UFC.
I wasn’t sure this day would ever come. Couture and UFC President Dana White’s relationship seemed so strained that I was skeptical about a reunion.
But for the betterment of the sport, the sides have reunited once again. All legal trouble is resolved by both parties. Couture has signed a three-fight deal that starts with his first fight Nov. 15.
So, who is he fighting? My boy, Brock Lesnar, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas for the UFC heavyweight title.
Now I’m torn. Got nothing but love for Couture, but I’ve been on record saying how much I dig Lesnar.
Elite XC’s announcement of Shamrock-Slice all the sudden just went to the back page. How can you top Brock vs. Randy?
Well, there’s one way, of course. If you add Fedor to the mix, uh oh, now you’ve got some combustible elements.
Listening in on the official conference call, you could tell Lesnar didn’t care for half of the questions being asked about Fedor.
I understand both sides. Obviously, as a fighter, you just want concentrate on the next fight. But also like to look at the bigger picture.
And sad to say that no matter how great we think Couture-Lesnar is, the winner of that against Fedor is EVEN bigger.
When the fight gets closer, I’ll have a much more detailed take on everything. First glance says this is Brock’s time to shine.
Couture, the former stud at Oklahoma State, hasn’t fought in over a year. He’s 45 years old and giving up 60-70 pounds.
Then you have Lesnar, also a stud at Minnesota, who is just now reaching his physical peak, IMO. It could be as simple as aggression vs. experience, but who knows?
On a personal note, Nov. 15 is a bye week for OU, so the chances of me missing this fight are slim to none.
White was quick to pronounce this as “the biggest fight in UFC history.” And maybe it is. There have been so many legendary battles in the Octagon that it’s tough for me to say the same thing at this point.
I’m just throwing it out there, but is this the fight that officially takes MMA from a niche sport to the mainstream? How much can be gained from a great fight? On the flip side, how much could be loss from a disappointment?
This fight is going to do monster numbers. White talked about having something akin to HBO’s 24/7 series in building up the bout. I’m digging that. You can safely promote this fight because I know it will deliver.
This isn’t a sideshow attraction. This is a battle of one of the greatest fighters EVER in Couture and one up-and-coming beast in Lesnar.
Another personal note. Man, this has awakened me. I’ve been home in bed sick the last couple of days. I sprung up when hearing about this. Nothing like a good fight to get the body moving again.
I know it’s early, but who you got, Lesnar or Couture?
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