Zuhdi steps up…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Monday night at Remington Park, Noah Zuhdi took his first step to what he hopes will eventually be a world championship. Zuhdi needed less than a round for the fifth consecutive time in knocking out George Colbert to win the vacant Oklahoma lightweight title.
I wish I could have been there, but other things popped up at the last minute. I talked with Zuhdi late Monday about the fight and the story can be found in Wednesday’s Oklahoman and on NewsOK.
It’s interesting because he has talked about how calm he’s been feeling. He said all that was gone Monday fighting in front of the hometown crowd again. That adrenaline just takes over for the OKC lightweight.
I’ve been told it was the best atmosphere yet for the bouts at Remington. And that’s great news. CatBOX Entertainment has promoted four shows in a year, and the audience is slowly growing. That’s great for the area boxing scene. Hopefully, continued success can trickle down to the younger generation of fighters.
Coming up later this week, I’ll have more on what Sean O’Grady had to tell me. The Champ is very candid in his words and never a dull moment with O’Grady.
And it’s been a busy month for Oklahoma fighters. Allan Green of Tulsa was back in action, Lawton’s Grady Brewer returned. What’s next for those boys? I’ll have an update later this week.
Another Zuhdi video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’m an equal opportunity promoter. We’ve had two from George Colbert, here is the video from Noah Zuhdi’s last fight in Lawton in September. It was the first time he had not fought at Remington Park, and he said being away from home actually made him more comfortable. George Colbert (2-0, 2 KOs) vs. Noah Zuhdi (4-0, 4 KOs) headlines a seven-bout card promoted by CatBOX Entertainment Monday night at Remington Park.
Another Colbert video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The latest fight from George “The Truth” Colbert. No, your eyes are not deceiving you. That is a cage, not a ring. That’s the versatility he has. He can bounce back and forth between boxing and MMA and not miss a beat. Colbert (2-0, 2 KOs) fights Noah Zuhdi (4-0, 4 KOs) for the vacant Oklahoma lightweight title Monday night at Remington Park, promoted by CatBOX Entertainment.
Noah Zuhdi video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
One good video deserves another. After taking a look at George Colbert on Tuesday, let’s look at his opponent, Noah Zuhdi. Also from Oklahoma City, Zuhdi is 4-0 with all four wins being first-round KOs. Today, we look back to nearly a year to the day with his professional debut. Stay tuned all this weekend for more from Colbert, Zuhdi and an in-depth Q&A with “The Champ” Sean O’Grady. Colbert vs. Zuhdi for the vacant Oklahoma lightweight title is Monday night at Remington Park.
George Colbert video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Less than a week away from the bout for the vacant Oklahoma lightweight title between George “The Truth” Colbert (2-0, 2 KOs) and Noah Zuhdi (4-0, 4 KOs). Spoke with George today, and he is ready as he’s ever going to be. To get into the spirit of things, here is a Colbert fight video from his previous fight at Remington Park.
Lesnar ascends to his throne…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(AP Photo/Eric Jamison)
I was in no position to give play-by-play of the Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture. I was out among the people there at Buffalo Wild Wings who just witnessed one great and dare I say historic night of MMA. I wasn’t about to bring my laptop into that type of scene.
Thanks to the fellas at Sherdog, someone actually was doing the play-by-play. Here’s the report of Lesnar’s second-round KO of Couture.
Randy Couture vs. Brock Lesnar
Lesnar enters the cage to the sounds of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” The champion follows as Aerosmith’s “Back in The Saddle” plays.
Round 1
Referee Mario Yamasaki gives the final instructions in the center of the Octagon. The fighters stare intensely into each others eyes and Lesnar cracks a smile. The fighters touch gloves and the action is on. Couture goes straight to the clinch as he backs Lesnar up against the fence. Lesnar smartly knees the thigh of the champion as he switches control against the fence. Now pushing Couture against the fence, Lesnar backs off absorbs a hard right hand to the jaw. Lesnar drops levels for a single-leg takedown, which is defended nicely by Couture. Lesnar switches to a double and gets the takedown. The challenger works from half-guard. He briefly has the mount, but Couture has none of it. Couture nearly sweeps Lesnar to his back. Lesnar picks an ankle and counters with a beautiful trip. Lesnar, from half-guard, pins Couture’s right arm down with his leg while punching the head. Couture scrambles to his knees while Lesnar controls from the top. Couture makes it to his feet and has Lesnar pushed against the cage. Lesnar grabs the fencing twice to avoid a takedown and is warned by Yamasaki.
Jordan Breen scores the round: 10-9 Lesnar
TJ De Santis scores the round: 10-9 Lesnar
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Lesnar
Round 2
Lesnar lands a standing elbow that stuns Couture to start the second round. Couture recovers and clinches with the challenger, where he lands a left knee to the head. Lesnar lands a clean knee to the body and Couture answers with a right hand. Lesnar is cut above the right eye in the exchange. Couture goes right back to the clinch and tastes a right-shoulder punch from the much larger Lesnar. The fighters separate and Lesnar lands a hard right knee to the chin. Lesnar follows with a right hand on the temple. Couture collapses and Lesnar swarms with hammer punches. Yamasaki watches closely as Couture does not answer. He steps in to save Couture. Brock Lesnar takes Randy Couture’s UFC heavyweight title with a second-round TKO. The official time is 3:07 of round two.
And an hour removed, here’s what I remember off the top of my head. The atmosphere was electric all night. But when Couture and Lesnar finally stepped in, it hit home. This was it.
I gave the first round to Brock. I thought it was interesting that Couture actually tried to test Lesnar’s chin right off the bat. Lesnar did a great job of staying calm. He looked like he was a little out of breath during that final minute, but he never got flustered.
The first round was all about battling for position. Couture tried to wear down the ginormous Lesnar. Normally Couture lays on someone to set up knees and inside strikes. Not tonight. It was all about trying to empty that gas tank.
Joe Rogan was going nuts about something Couture was doing with Lesnar’s leg. I couldn’t see it on the telecast but had me excited, whatever it was.
Lesnar was definitely sucking wind as he was grabbing the fence to stay on his feet in those final 30 seconds. He did more than survive that first round. Most people (yours truly included) thought Lesnar would try to make a huge impact right from the get-go. He played it cool.
Things picked up in the second when Lesnar buckled Couture with a standing elbow, which is not something you see everyday. Couture got Lesnar back to the fence to recover and busted up the right eye of Lesnar in an exchange.
Lesnar, again, did not panic. Brock did a great job with his knees tonight. Duh, he has a lot of power. But if you don’t throw those knees correctly, you’re negating your strength.
Eventually Lesnar down Couture with a beautiful right hand to the temple/back of the neck. Couture stumbles to the ground and Lesnar hammers him repeatedly before it’s stopped at 3:07 of round two.
Wow, just like that.
Even if you have a great chin, you never know how a temple shot will hurt you. I can’t think of a temple shot without going back to April 15, 1985, in the unbelievable Marvin Hagler and Tommy Hearns fight. Hagler was on his way to winning it but a right hand to Tommy’s temple is a lasting image in boxing.
Saturday, it’s what did in Couture. Rust was not an issue. Couture said it before and after the fight, and it was pretty obvious. It really wasn’t.
The key was the evolution of Lesnar. He didn’t come in like a crazy man and expend useless energy. When he got cut, he didn’t press the panic button and get into a precarious spot. He fought with intelligence that he has talked about but never really displayed until tonight.
It’s weird because even though Lesnar was trying to be gracious in victory, that Vegas crowd was still loving The Natural and booing Lesnar.
MMA postfight interviews are some of the best. There is no BS in ‘em. I can’t repeat some of what both men had to say, but it was honesty 100 percent.
So Brock Lesnar, in only his fourth MMA fight, is the NEW UFC heavyweight champion. Ironically enough, it was Couture’s fourth fight when he won his first of three hwt. titles.
Undercard
Solid. Not one fight on the main show went past the first round, so we saw a lot of pre-PPV bouts. But that’s fine. People made statements tonight.
I don’t know if it was because of the buzz behind Lesnar and Couture, but it seemed like everyone wanted to try to steal the show.
Demian Maia executed a textbook rear-naked choke. Gabriel Gonzaga and his meancing look of destruction wiped out Josh Hendricks with a brutal right. Dustin Hazelett (and his crazy beard) got another armbar submission victory. If not for Lesnar, Hazelett was the most impressive. And Kenny Florian served notice to B.J. Penn that he’s coming with a rear-naked choke.
And those prelim fights were nuts, too. Jeremy Stephens’ uppercut TKO on Dos Anjos is something no one will forget anytime soon. And him running head-first into the fence was something I’ll never forget. You never know what grown men will do to celebrate happiness. Like I said, great, great night for UFC and MMA.
Fun stuff all around. And a special thanks to BWW who put on the Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy boxing fight on a very small TV so I could watch Taylor tattoo his former Olympic teammate. Long been a fan of Taylor but almost felt sad for Lacy. Good to have you back, Jermain.
But this night was all about Lesnar. UFC 92 is Dec. 27. Um, that’s my birthday. Anyone want to buy the PPV for me as a present? C’mon. Nogueira and Frank Mir will battle it out with the winner taking on Lesnar.
Whoo, what a week. I hope you enjoyed my week-long look at Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture. I didn’t think it was possible, but it got me even more fired up about everything.
This next week we go local as we start looking at a boxing bout for the vacant Oklahoma lightweight title between Noah Zuhdi and George Colbert, both of OKC. Also, 24/7 is back with de La Hoya and Pacquiao.
And now, my prediction…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The Boneman is in a strange spot for Saturday night’s uber-huge fight between Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture. I don’t care who wins, I really don’t.
Most fights I know who I want to win, and you set yourself up for joy or disappointment. For this, I just want to see a classic that will be remembered years from now. Both men looked good at the weigh-in with Couture at 220 and Lesnar at 265.
If Couture wins, it’s a moment. Sports can never have too many moments that transcend what you’re actually watching. Everyone knows Couture is toward the end of his career, but this win might cement his already-cemented legacy. I think it would be akin to Bernard Hopkins and his masterful display against Kelly Pavlik.
If Lesnar wins, the future is now. No one will say “oh, he just beat an old Couture.” Lesnar is perceived to be so rough around the edges that a win any which way legitimizes him in the MMA world.
Either way, I’ll end up getting this fight on DVD one way or another because of the history that is made.
So what do I actually think will happen? I don’t know. That’s not a cop out, I just don’t know. What would people say if Couture knocked out Lesnar or Brock made Randy submit? Because those are the two most unlikely scenarios, that would really make it a moment.
But I’m not putting any money on that happening. I have a strong inkling in me saying this is going to the judges and Couture will eke out a close, unanimous decision.
Brock will come out strong and will really test how much Couture has left in his 45-year-old tank. He might even get a takedown. But Couture, as he always has, will be calm and work his way out of it.
Couture will slowly wear down Lesnar. Brock is probably in the best fighting shape of his life. But when you get to the moment of the fight, I think his energy is going to be sapped away faster than he can imagine.
Lesnar will win round 1. Round 2 will be close. Couture is going to take round 3. Couture will dominate round 4 but Brock will have a huge moment that will make the fight interesting. And round 5 will be all about the heart. And I think both men have it in spades.
Brock will learn more in those 25 minutes than he has in the rest of his fighting life.
Then again, it might just be a dull chess match with both guys afraid of being first. You never know with MMA and boxing.
And quick blurb about Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy on HBO. I’m hoping Taylor wins. I think he has more in the tank, both physically and emotionally. Anyway, tomorrow night will be one fun night.
More from JR and a nugget from John Smith…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(photo taken from JR’s Family Bar-B-Q)
WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross was kind enough to send me his thoughts about both Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture. He was also bold enough to send a prediction. It was much appreciated, and JR has failed to ever disappoint me.
But because of space issues in the paper, not everything JR said was in Friday’s edition of The Oklahoman. If JR is going to take the time to answer the questions, the least I can do is get it on the blog.
JR’s take on Brock (most from personal experience as you know from Lesnar’s time in the WWE):
Brock has amazing athletic gifts one cannot coach or teach. Immensely
strong, cat quick, bona fide mean streak, healthy ego, and what many
feel has a pronounced fear of failure.
He rapidly moved to the head of the class of the WWE Developmental
Program because of his unbridled desire to be the best.
Brock went from entry level recruit to earning well north of 7 figures
within approximately 3 years of being “called up” to the primary roster.
Former OSU wrestler and current WWE official Jerry Brisco and I
recruited Brock out of Minnesota as Brock’s coach there, J. Robinson, was a
teammate of Brisco’s at OSU.
We had to restrain Lesnar from doing the more athletic, aerial maneuvers
that smaller wrestlers once had the market on. Lesnar’s natural balance
and coordination gave him the ability to execute maneuvers that 300
pounders rarely attempted.
Lesnar would likely be earning in the $5-10M range annually had he
chosen to stay in the entertainment world of the WWE. However, he hated
excessive travel which lead to his pre mature exit from the WWE.
JR’s take on Couture:
Couture is not only physically versed in ground and pound but Randy is a
brilliant strategist. He will be is superb condition and will know all
there is to know ab out Lesnar which could be a blessing or a curse.
Randy is a thinking man’s MMA star and is respected by the MMA world
whereas Lesnar hasn’t earned the respect from all his peers or hardcore
MMA fans because he was a pro wrestler which I find amazingly ignorent.
Lesnar is brash and out spoken. He knows how to stir the pot to create a
WWE-like atmosphere to where fans will pay money to see Brock get his
clock cleaned.
And JR’s prediction:
I have huge respect for Couture but at 45 years of age and giving up
approximately 55 lbs come fight time, I’m predicting a Lesnar win. I
think Randy can win if Lesnar gets careless and Couture can exploit a
Lesnar mistake. The good, big man beats the legendary, good smaller man.
Also wanted to get some words from Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith. Who would know Couture better than Smith? Special thanks to fellow chum Matt Patterson for the info.
“I’m rooting for the Cowboy. It’s pretty amazing Randy at his age, getting in the ring still. I’m rooting for his health, too. He’s a tough guy, always has been. Don’t count him out but age sometimes creeps up on you, you just don’t know it until it’s too late. I’m definitely rooting for Randy.”
- Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith
We’ve heard from just about everybody on this fight. Oh wait, we haven’t heard from me. My “long-awaited” analysis will be later tonight.
Lesnar-Couture a win for amateur wrestling…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
No matter what happens Saturday night between Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar, there is one winner: amateur wrestling.
A sport that is not dying but rather is being gutted in the NCAA ranks where programs are dropping like flies.
Saturday night will show everyone that amateur wrestlers are some of the toughest guys not just in sports but the world.
The credentials for Couture and Lesnar speak for themselves. Couture was a three-time NCAA all-American at Oklahoma State and a national runner-up. Lesnar was an NCAA heavyweight champion at Minnesota. There is no false bravado in this one…these guys are legit.
Wherever Lesnar has gone, he’s just been discovered. He was discovered by Minnesota when he was at a JUCO in the Dakotas. After that, it was to the WWE.
“Former OSU wrestler and current WWE official Jerry Brisco and I recruited Brock out of Minnesota as Brock’s coach there J Robinson was a teammate of Brisco’s at OSU,” said Jim Ross, Hall of Fame WWE announcer who worked with Lesnar for three years.
Couture has earned the nickname of “The Natural.” It’s what he is. Not only is he the best at what he does, he is one of the most calm people I’ve ever seen in some of the toughest situations.
As Brazilian jiu-jitsu has slowly become all the rage, it’s good to know there is still room for some solid amateur wrestling.
I hope current and future wrestlers watch this bout and see what is possible. I’d love to see former OU stud Teyon Ware doing something like this. Ware was a freak just as much as Lesnar and Couture are.
However, I still want to see the wrestling. I appreciate the art in the amateur style and am more fan than journalist when covering high school and college matches. I don’t cheer for anybody, but I cheer for the sport. I love it. I don’t want to see HS kids abandon the amateur wrestling and think they can just go to BJJ or striking.
You need a complete package but part of that package is definitely the amateur style. Wrestlers are a different breed (in a good way).
But sadly once the college days are done, we rarely hear from these people again. Former Missouri star Ben Askren is moving to MMA. It’s a natural progression.
Former Gopher champion Cole Konrad helped Lesnar train for this bout. Former Arizona State grapplers C.B. Dollaway and Cain Velasquez are slowly making their mark in the MMA world.
What I’m hoping happens from Saturday’s bout is wrestlers no longer hesitate to go to MMA. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It’s a new career avenue that right now has limitless possibilities.
OSU is certainly taking advantage of it. Shane Roller, Johny Hendricks and Jack Jensen are all involved in some form of MMA. While Jake Rosholt has already worked his way up the ranks to World Extreme Cagefighting (which can be seen regularly on VS.).
This is the future for NCAA stars. And maybe watching two bonafide legends like Couture and Lesnar do battle will help everyone embrace it.
“I’m here to represent amateur wrestling,” Lesnar said last week. I can’t think of two better representatives for the sport.
Lesnar-Couture records…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Whew, you getting burnt out from all the coverage of Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture? No analysis today. But here’s what I wanted to give you. The MMA records of both Couture and Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar (2-1)
June 2, 2007 vs. Min Soo Kim (K-1): Lesnar wins via submission (strikes) in 1:07.
February 2, 2008 vs. Frank Mir (UFC): Mir wins via submission (kneebar) in 1:30.
August 9, 2008 vs. Heath Herring (UFC): Lesnar wins unanimous decision.
Randy Couture (16-8)
May 30, 1997 vs. Tony Halme (UFC): Couture wins via submission (rear-naked choke) in 0:57.
May 30, 1997 vs. Steven Graham (UFC): Couture wins via TKO (strikes) in 3:13.
October 17, 1997 vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC): Couture wins via TKO (strikes) in 8:17.
December 21, 1997 vs. Maurice Smith (UFC): Couture wins majority decision.
October 25, 1998 vs. Enson Inoue (Vale Tudo): Inoue wins via submission.
March 20, 1999 vs. Mikhail Illoukhine (RINGS): Illoukhine wins via submission.
October 9, 2000 vs. Jeremy Horn (RINGS): Couture wins unanimous decision.
October 9, 2000 vs. Ryushi Yanagisawa (RINGS): Couture wins majority decision.
November 17, 200 vs. Kevin Randleman (UFC): Couture win via TKO (strikes) to win UFC heavyweight championship.
February 24, 2001 vs. Tsuyoshi Kohsaka (RINGS): Couture wins unanimous decision.
February 24, 2001 vs. Valentijn Overeem (RINGS): Overeem wins via submission (guillotine choke)
May 4, 2001 vs. Pedro Rizzo (UFC): Couture wins unanimous decision
November 2, 2001 vs. Pedro Rizzo (UFC): Couture wins via TKO (strikes).
March 22, 2002 vs. Josh Barnett (UFC): Barnett wins via TKO (strikes).
September 27, 2002 vs. Ricco Rodriguez (UFC): Rodriguez wins via TKO (strikes).
June 6, 2003 vs. Chuck Liddell (UFC): Couture wins via TKO to win interim light heavyweight championship.
September 26, 2003 vs. Tito Ortiz (UFC): Couture win unanimous decision to win light heavyweight championship.
January 31, 2004 vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC):
Belfort wins via TKO (cut).
August 21, 2004 vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC): Couture wins via TKO (doctor stoppage) to win light heavyweight title.
April 16, 2005 vs. Chuck Liddell (UFC): Liddell wins via KO
August 20, 2005 vs. Mike van Arsdale (UFC): Couture wins via submission (Anaconda choke).
February 4, 2006 vs. Chuck Liddell (UFC): Liddell wins via KO.
March 3, 2007 vs. Tim Sylvia (UFC): Couture wins unanimous decision to win UFC heavyweight championship.
August 25, 2007 vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (UFC): Couture wins via TKO (strikes).
