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.
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