UFC 74 Couture vs Gonzaga - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

cujo · 04-23-2007, 04:03 PM

ufcmania:
With his thrilling destruction of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 70: “Nations Collide,” Gabriel Gonzaga is set to face Randy Couture for the heavyweight title.

According to MMAWeekly.com, that bout is tentatively scheduled for UFC 74 on August 25.

It’s an intriguing match up between a fighter who just shocked the world and another fighter who has carved a legacy as a successful underdog.

And one that is unlikely, especially if we rewind to Friday, March 2 — the day before “The Natural” chopped down Tim Sylvia at UFC 68.

Did anyone predict — even think about for that matter — a championship showdown between Couture and Gonzaga less than two months later?

Sheer craziness; but, apparently, something we’re going to see a lot of with the unpredictable nature of the sport.

These last few months, however, have to be the exception and not the rule … right?

Regardless, Couture and Gonzaga should be a solid fight — albeit a harder bout to market without Cro Cop.

Prior to UFC 70, Couture predicted that Gonzaga would beat the Croatian (certainly not by head kick, of course).

It could have been wishful thinking or legitimate analysis. Or, perhaps, a mix of both.

During the post-fight wrap up, Couture mentioned that Cro Cop would be a better match for him style-wise than Gonzaga.

In fact, here’s a snip from the Canadian Press:

“I traditionally do better against guys who are strikers, guys like Chuck (Liddell) and Tim (Sylvia) whose weaknesses tend to be more on the ground. That’s an area where I’m strongest, so I can usually comfortably put a guy there. Mirko’s also one of this guys. I was confident if I came after him I could put him on the ground. You take a guy like Gonzaga down and you’re still not out of the woods. He’s an expert in submission. He’s a very, very skilled grappler so you’ve got to be sharp all around.”

Cant wait for this fight!

OneStepAhead · 04-23-2007, 04:09 PM

Wow..This fight should be extremely good.

I am incredibly excited for this.

SmashingMachine · 04-23-2007, 04:18 PM

I think Randy will win, but I think he'd better come into this fight in superb condition. Because, rolling around on the ground is lots of work; especially when the guy you're rolling with outweighs you by 20-40 lbs. Randy's wrestling and grappling will carry him through on the ground...I don't see Randy getting sub'ed. I think Randy's probably got the better stand up too. It'll be a full days work for sure. It won't be an easy one like against Sylvia.

Dreamfield · 04-23-2007, 04:54 PM

I'm going with Gonzaga.

Cuts O Meat · 04-23-2007, 04:58 PM

I believe Napao will take the win in this fight. I believe his stand up is stronger than The Natural's, and his BJJ + strength is good enough to submit Randy given half the chance.

I disagree with UFC setting up the winner between crocop and napao to get a shot a the title. I believe if Tim wasn't going to get a rematch for it, he should of atleast fought the winner of crocop and napao for the title shot.

blaz1988 · 04-23-2007, 05:32 PM

I hope that Mirko will fight with Couter.But now I"m going with Gonzaga other Arlovski

Gooner · 04-23-2007, 06:12 PM

I have a feeling Gonzaga will take the belt. I'll make my mind up definitely a little later, show complete confidence in my choice, and then we should get the different result.

Gonzaga is close to Barnett and Ricco stylistically imo, and it was those guys that ran the Natural out of the heavyweight division in the first place.
It's gonna be extremely tough for Randy to wrestle this guy.

Playa · 04-23-2007, 06:27 PM

Gonzaga will be dangerous, no question but I think Randy will be too much for him.

tenntitanfan · 04-23-2007, 06:32 PM

I have alot of respect for Randy and his skills but I just think Gonzaga matches up really well w/ him. But hey I didnt think he would get by Tim Sylvia considering how Chuck knocked him out twice but he did; so I wouldnt be suprised if some how some way he pulls off the victory against Gonzaga. I may pick against the Natural sometimes but I will never count him out again; he is a true MMA warrior.

twigz · 04-23-2007, 06:33 PM

I'd have to say GG will take it. Hes a bad match up for Randy.

vegas mma · 04-23-2007, 06:34 PM

randy is a great fighter, but he even said he would rather face crocop then gonzaga. gonzaga is a big ass man to have rolling around on you.
on pros vs. joes randy told the other "pros" that he isn't known for his ground work" well gonzaga IS.
i am probably gonna bet on gonzaga, but if he trys to stand with randy then i think he will lose.

asronn · 04-23-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas mma

randy is a great fighter, but he even said he would rather face crocop then gonzaga. gonzaga is a big ass man to have rolling around on you.
on pros vs. joes randy told the other "pros" that he isn't known for his ground work" well gonzaga IS.
i am probably gonna bet on gonzaga, but if he trys to stand with randy then i think he will lose.

How you gonna count Gonzaga out against Randy on his feet after he just KO'd Mirko???
I think Randy will win because of conditiong. I think it will go all 5 rounds and I just havent seen very many guys as big as Gonzaga be able to keep Randy's pace for 5 rounds

uncle_leo · 04-23-2007, 06:44 PM

I think Gonzaga matches up well against Randy and will get the belt. Actually after watching his last few fights, I think he matches up well against most guys.
Does Randy really want to go to the ground with him? Not too sure what strategy Randy will have?? Should be interesting.

kane · 04-23-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooner

I have a feeling Gonzaga will take the belt. I'll make my mind up definitely a little later, show complete confidence in my choice, and then we should get the different result.

Gonzaga is close to Barnett and Ricco stylistically imo, and it was those guys that ran the Natural out of the heavyweight division in the first place.
It's gonna be extremely tough for Randy to wrestle this guy.

randy has improved a lot since those days. His stand up is much better and he's comfortable with it. He now using his striking to set up his takedowns and keep guys out of synch. I still think he's going to lose but it will be a war because randy does bring it.

Gooner · 04-23-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kane

randy has improved a lot since those days. His stand up is much better and he's comfortable with it. He now using his striking to set up his takedowns and keep guys out of synch. I still think he's going to lose but it will be a war because randy does bring it.

His stand-up is a bit better, but like you say stand-up is always just a set-up for him to take it to the ground.

Gonzaga is a grappler though and a big one too.
He probably won't mind clinching with Randy, unlike Sylvia, Chuck etc.

Randy on his back will always be in trouble.

vegas mma · 04-23-2007, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asronn

How you gonna count Gonzaga out against Randy on his feet after he just KO'd Mirko???
I think Randy will win because of conditiong. I think it will go all 5 rounds and I just havent seen very many guys as big as Gonzaga be able to keep Randy's pace for 5 rounds

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say it....
are you ready?!?!???
.
.
.
.
.
.
i don't think mirko trained at all for his gonzaga fight. i believe he was at the gym training, but i don't think he did anything special for his fight. just normal mma training.
i believe randy will be training hard for this fight, i just hope he can find a 250 guy to roll with.
also saying that gonzaga has great stand up cause he kicked mirko in the head is like saying shonie carter could be a belt winner cause he did a spinning back fist a few years ago. let me see it again.
rashad evans ko'd a guy with a kick, will he ever ko someone again? probably not. liddell ko's guys every time, mirko ko's guys everytime, gonzaga kicked a guy in the head. how often does that happen?

MasterMWM · 04-24-2007, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas mma

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say it....
are you ready?!?!???
.
.
.
.
.
.
i don't think mirko trained at all for his gonzaga fight. i believe he was at the gym training, but i don't think he did anything special for his fight. just normal mma training.
i believe randy will be training hard for this fight, i just hope he can find a 250 guy to roll with.
also saying that gonzaga has great stand up cause he kicked mirko in the head is like saying shonie carter could be a belt winner cause he did a spinning back fist a few years ago. let me see it again.
rashad evans ko'd a guy with a kick, will he ever ko someone again? probably not. liddell ko's guys every time, mirko ko's guys everytime, gonzaga kicked a guy in the head. how often does that happen?

I like your logic, but this one is to close to call. Both Gonzaga and Courture put on a very good showing. If the golden rule holds up that your only as good as your last fight.........that means couture can go the distance and do what ever {boxing and wrestling} or gonzanga can put extreme pressure and head kick the Natural?

I'm going with Randy for some reason. (To smart an experienced)

Malf · 04-24-2007, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vegas mma

randy is a great fighter, but he even said he would rather face crocop then gonzaga. gonzaga is a big ass man to have rolling around on you.
on pros vs. joes randy told the other "pros" that he isn't known for his ground work" well gonzaga IS.
i am probably gonna bet on gonzaga, but if he trys to stand with randy then i think he will lose.

Actually, he said that he isn't known for submissions. He said that he usually just takes the guy down, and pounds on his face until the ref stops it.

I don't think that Gonzaga has an advantage on the ground at all. I think Randy will be going for the takedown, and working his GnP alot this fight.

As far as who wins, I'm leaning towards Randy just because he is the more proven fighter. It's close, and I'm not about to bet on it though. These days, who knows who will win any fight?

Dirty Fighter · 04-24-2007, 01:56 AM

Randy is no slouch when it comes to submissions. During his hiatus from fighting he did a submission wrestling match against one of the best, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, and took it to a draw.

Malf · 04-24-2007, 02:05 AM

Ya, that's pretty amazing. Randy is incredible on the ground, he just hasn't had many sub wins (1 in the past 10 years). Stepping up and grappling Jacare at age 43, and coming out with a draw is nothing to laugh at.