Randy's pick for the Nog/Big Tim fight

T-Bone · 01-29-2008, 11:13 AM

Randy's been pretty good with his picks so I figured I'd post this one...

Quote:

In a little less than a week, former champions Tim Sylvia and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will meet in the main event of UFC 81 for the UFC's interim heavyweight title. And the current title holder's predicting a victory for the UFC vet.

Our buddy Jose Rodriguez of the Calgary Sun recently spoke to current UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture about the upcoming Sylvia-Nogueira fight. Couture resigned from the organization this past October and now finds himself dealing with a lawsuit over the matter, but that didn't keep him from weighing in on next week's fight.

UFC 81 takes place Feb. 2 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Couture likes Nogueira's chances on the ground; he gives Sylvia the nod on their feet. As for a prediction, though, Couture thinks Nogueira's most recent performance will be the deciding factor.

"I think it's going to be a good fight," Couture said. "I'm a fan of the sport first and foremost. I think it's an interesting match-up. Nogueira's strength tends to be on the ground and in the submission game, and Tim is just a long, strong, hard-to-take-down guy who's got great striking abilities. It's a classic match-up and for the interim title, so they both have a lot on the line.

"I like Tim's chances in that fight given Nogueira's performance against Heath Herring in the last fight. I like Sylvia in a stoppage of some kind."

Sylvia (24-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) has went to a decision in four of his past five victories. However, his first four UFC wins all came via stoppage -- three by knockout.

In addition to the Sylvia-Nogueira fight, Couture spoke to the Calgary Sun about his current legal situation with the UFC. It appears the UFC is now trying to keep Couture from cornering his Xtreme Couture fighters in other fight promotions.

Couture has recently been at HDNet Fights and International Fight League events to corner his guys, and while the UFC is trying to halt him from going to any other event (saying it violates the terms of his contract), he says he'll be in Canada later this week to corner Mike Pyle at a Hardcore Championship Fighting event.

"There's no merit in (stopping me)," Couture said. "It's just a ploy on the UFC's part to drag me down and force me to spend money and I'm sure they think if they force me to spend enough money, I'll have to come back and fight. That's not really the case."

Randy Couture Predicts Victory for Tim Sylvia - MMA - Yahoo! Sports

Gooner · 01-29-2008, 11:32 AM

Sadly, I agree with Randy.
I hope Nog can pull off another miraculous come-from-behind submission though.

If Sylvia wins, his first title defense (against Werdum) will just be a repeat of this fight, and that would bore me to death.
Heavyweight title fights shouldn't do that damnit.

Crashsti · 01-29-2008, 02:34 PM

Maybe Tim will surprise us and come out guns blazing. Big Nog has a traditional boxing style which should'nt give Tim any real problems. He did let his hands go in the last round against Vera so maybe he'll do the same this time around.

Beazt · 01-29-2008, 02:47 PM

Tim could be a great title holder if he would let his hands go more. After he won the belt back from Arlovski he has seemed timid.

I'm also 100% positive Dana has talked to him personally about putting on a good show. I wouldn't be surprised if Dana made this a "stipulation" before offering Tim a shot at the vacated HW title.

Ryduce · 01-29-2008, 02:49 PM

Damn it.

The Randy kiss of death.

T-Bone · 01-29-2008, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beazt

Tim could be a great title holder if he would let his hands go more. After he won the belt back from Arlovski he has seemed timid.

I'm also 100% positive Dana has talked to him personally about putting on a good show. I wouldn't be surprised if Dana made this a "stipulation" before offering Tim a shot at the vacated HW title.

I would imagine Dana already covered this with him in the past...but probably again.

Nog was almost finished by Herring...maybe Tim can actually do the deed. I don't really see it but he could surprise us (again).

HaVoK · 01-29-2008, 03:08 PM

I think Nog will come in a lot different than the Herring fight. I really really hope he submits Sylvia.

FightFan76 · 01-29-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVoK

I think Nog will come in a lot different than the Herring fight. I really really hope he submits Sylvia.

Just b/c of Tim's big awkward build it is hard for any fighter to have success against him. Randy gave the blue print for that I guess; you gotta go right at him which puts you at risk from his hard strikes and hope you get to the inside and then just smother him. I know Nog is strong but is he as strong as Randy on the inside and will he be able to rock Tim once or twice so he can get on the inside. I personally dont think he will be able to on a consistent enough basis to win this fight and we will either see a boring decision win by Big Tim or he will land a solid shot at some point in the fight and finish Nog.....

SmashingMachine · 01-29-2008, 04:34 PM

I think a lot of people are discrediting Nog for his last fight; which he won. Make no doubt about it Heath Herring can fight and with anyone in the World; when he decides to show up. I think Nog will take Tim down. He's fought bigger and stronger than Tim and sub'ed them/beat them. He'll be a'ight.

lwbfl · 01-29-2008, 07:24 PM

They both have the ability to win, it just depends on what version of each fighter shows up!

Cacti45 · 01-29-2008, 11:18 PM

Randys UFC 80 Pciks: 2-5

Kendall Grove
Jason Lambert
Marcus Davis
Gabriel Gonzaga
BJ Penn

UFC 79 Picks: 1-5

St. Pierre
Silva
Sokoudjou
Palelei
Guillard

The Randy Couture myth is dead, Nog will win

Pitbull · 01-29-2008, 11:54 PM

I think I agree with Randy.

Nog has been in some battles, but I think Tim's reach will be too much for Nog.

But then again, I said the same thing when Randy fought Tim.

Fist of Fury · 01-30-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacti45

Randys UFC 80 Pciks: 2-5

Kendall Grove
Jason Lambert
Marcus Davis
Gabriel Gonzaga
BJ Penn

UFC 79 Picks: 1-5

St. Pierre
Silva
Sokoudjou
Palelei
Guillard

The Randy Couture myth is dead, Nog will win

This could be a little biased because a lot of those guys he picked to win train with him or with his chums at Team Quest.

StrikeHARD · 01-30-2008, 05:17 AM

I think I'm going with Nog for this one. People are discrediting him too much for his performance against Herring, but Herring is an experienced fighter and by no means a walk-over. He only caught Nog with one big kick and still wasn't able to put him away - Other than that Noguiera controlled the fight.

I know Sylvia has a big size advantage over Nog, and he's a massive fighter with lots of power, but so was Bob Sapp and Noguiera still submitted him lol. Not that I'm drawing comparison between Sapp and Sylvia (I don't want the lynch mob out on me

), but it just shows that it wont be the first time that Noguiera has come up against bigger opposition, and he knows how to get the job done despite being over-powered and outweighed.

T-Bone · 01-30-2008, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacti45

Randys UFC 80 Pciks: 2-5

Kendall Grove
Jason Lambert
Marcus Davis
Gabriel Gonzaga
BJ Penn

UFC 79 Picks: 1-5

St. Pierre
Silva
Sokoudjou
Palelei
Guillard

The Randy Couture myth is dead, Nog will win

Oh well...he used to be good...I guess all the lawsuits are affecting his predictions.

Thrash13 · 01-30-2008, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashingMachine

I think a lot of people are discrediting Nog for his last fight; which he won. Make no doubt about it Heath Herring can fight and with anyone in the World; when he decides to show up. I think Nog will take Tim down. He's fought bigger and stronger than Tim and sub'ed them/beat them. He'll be a'ight.

You are right on the money. It's shocking to me to see so many people get down on Big Nog after his first fight. Does anyone remember how Rampage looked in his first UFC fight? It wasn't very good. Other than the Herring leg kick, Big Nog dominated the pace of the fight.

Big Nog wins this one by submission. Guys have gotten Sylvia to the ground in the past, they just haven't been able to do much after that. Sylvia hasn't faced anyone like Big Nog on the ground.

dsver1 · 01-30-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cacti45

Randys UFC 80 Pciks: 2-5

Kendall Grove
Jason Lambert
Marcus Davis
Gabriel Gonzaga
BJ Penn

UFC 79 Picks: 1-5

St. Pierre
Silva
Sokoudjou
Palelei
Guillard

The Randy Couture myth is dead, Nog will win

I'm pulling for Nog too, but Randy has always been correct with the main event predictions.

jody · 01-30-2008, 06:55 PM

Well ill say it Big Nog will dominate Tim in every part of the fight. And if im wrong you can say i am full of it

basslogic4003 · 01-30-2008, 09:26 PM

We gotta remember that this is Big Nog we're talking about. The guy who submitted an in his prime CroCop, survived to a decision with Fedor twice (he may have lost, but surviving is something to be proud of), he got pounded on by Sapp, but came back and submitted him in one of the all-time epic "David and Goliath" battles of MMA. I know Tim's reachy and hits like a train when he allows himself to,but I just don't think he's got any tools that Nog hasn't already seen and surpassed. Then again, anythings possible

And for the record, he may have not looked so hot against Herring, but he still won!

LABJJ · 01-30-2008, 10:15 PM

Hopefully Nog learned a lot from his fight with Herring. Tim in my opinion has skill, but that it is really plain. I wonder if he was 6 foot 1 and 215, if he would still have the success that he has. It seems he relies heavily on height and size to make up for lack of skills. Its obvious he has MMA skills, I'm not saying he does not, if he did not he would not be at this level, but he has beaten more skilled fighters relying on just plain reach and size rather than technique. I guess it works for him, but kinda bores most of us.