*Interview* Randy Couture

Dr.Chicago · 08-12-2007, 08:42 PM

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The cover of the current issue of ImproperBostonian

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Couture weighs in on Gonzaga

By Herald staff
Sunday, August 12, 2007

Ludlow’s Gabriel Gonzaga will be up against one of Mixed Martial Arts’ true legends when he battles Randy Couture at UFC 74 on Aug. 25 in Las Vegas. At age 44, Couture is the current and three-time UFC heavyweight champ, and the two-time light heavyweight title holder. Leading up to the fight, bostonherald.com has been providing exclusive Gonzaga video, as well as Q&A’s regarding the fight. Below, we hear from Couture about facing the up-and-coming Gonzaga.

Q: What did you think about doing the ESPN interview for your upcoming fight while sitting right next to Gabriel Gonzaga?

Couture: I think people freak out when two guys who are going to fight each other are next to each other.We share respect as fighters, and so it’s not like in boxing.We’ll fight each other at UFC 74 and what happens, happens, but we’ll still have respect for each other after the fight.

Q: There’s a size difference clearly, what do you think about that?

Couture: I’ve just come off of 10 weeks of training camp and in camp I worked with a guy who is bigger than Gabe, so he will actually be a step down for me.But with any of the bigger athletes, I have to be smarter and use my head.

Q: What did you think about the Mirko Cro Cop knockout?

Couture: I was as surprised as anyone.The fight was going pretty much as I expected it to go, with Gabriel getting Cro Cop down on the ground and using elbows, but that headkick came out of nowhere. It was well-timed and well-placed.

Q: Are you ready to fight Gonzaga?

Couture: Absolutely. I have one more week of hard training, and then I start to taper for the fight. But right now I feel good, and I am ready to go.

Q: Do you think you have an advantage fighting here in Vegas?

Couture: Well the Mandalay Bay Events Center has air-conditioning, so climate won’t be an issue.The week of the fight may affect Gonzaga a little bit because it’s usually the hottest month of the year here in Vegas. But I don’t think it will make much of a difference. The only advantage is this is my home, and so I can stay at home and sleep in my own bed, drive my own car -- those will be the only things that differs between us.

Q: Do you think the fight will go all five rounds?

Couture: I think this fight has the potential to go all five rounds. I am prepared to go all five rounds. But I don’t expect either one of us to make mistakes, so it’s going to be a tough, competitive fight.

Q: Looking at the heavyweight division, if you beat Gonzaga who would you like to fight next?

Couture: I don’t really have a hit list.Somebody different, the landscape of the heavyweight division is a little rocky, but I haven’t thought much past this fight.

Q: What did you think about doing the Improper Bostonian cover shoot with Gonzaga?

Couture: I’ve been doing this for 10 years, and have posed with a lot of my opponents, so this is nothing new. It’s an interesting magazine — I keep telling Dana that he’s a true Improper Bostonian (laughs). I look forward to seeing the cover and reading the story.

Another hyped fight as usual.. I like that!

I liked it when he said he's been training with bigger guys than Gonzaga.. Captain America is always ready for war!

Curly · 08-12-2007, 08:53 PM

I like that cover pic!
Man, I hope Randy can handle this guy, history tells us Randy has trouble with this type of a fighter.

BlingDogg · 08-12-2007, 09:23 PM

lol @ the magazine cover

I'm getting more and more impatient waiting for this fight to happen. I'm also hoping Couture can get the win, but I'm scared for him.

tropicana · 08-12-2007, 10:05 PM

I live appox 40 miles from Ludlow mass. So I have to go Gonzaga on this I love Randy (in a non-gay way)but home town loyalty triumphs here..

name goes here · 08-13-2007, 03:58 AM

That cover looks a little fruity, which is hard to do with Randy but still.
Glad to hear Randy is prepared to wrestle a bigger guy, but it sounds like he's not giving Gab's striking enough fear.

The Bodybag · 08-13-2007, 10:23 AM

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Originally Posted by tropicana

I live appox 40 miles from Ludlow mass. So I have to go Gonzaga on this I love Randy (in a non-gay way)but home town loyalty triumphs here..

I live about 20 miles from Ludlow, but War Randy. If his opponent was from my my house, hell if I were fighting Randy Couture I would be cheering Randy to the end. I actually like Gabe a lot and think he is very deserving ( met him about a month and 1/2 ago) but Captain America is the man.