UFC 105 Post-Fight: Brandon Vera and Randy Couture Talk About the Controversial Decision

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 2:26 AM EST

Promoted to the front page from the FanPosts by Luke Thomas.

Brandon Vera and Randy Couture talked about the controversial decision at the UFC 105 post-fight press conference. Vera, although clearly disappointed, accepts the loss:

"I’m pissed, I’m really pissed, but the sport of MMA, she, MMA, is a b---h and if you let it go to the judges, you let it out of your hands, you know? So, I’m going to take the blame for this loss. I’m going to man up."

"I should have finished it. I had a couple of opportunities to during the fight that I should have finished it. I’m super happy I got to fight Randy Couture, my hero, my legend, and let the rest of the light heavyweight division know that I’m going to whip you’re a-- if you get into the Octagon with me."

Randy Couture wouldn't have been disappointed had he lost the decision:

"You just never know. We've seen this in the past already." Couture told Rogan after the fight. "You just don't know what the judges are looking at and how they see the fight. And that's what ultimately, in a close fight like this, determines the decision."

--

"I wouldn’t have been terribly disappointed had the decision gone the other way. I was very impressed with Brandon."

"I had to kind of shift gears. (Vera) definitely got my attention in the second round. I was protecting my head and he kicked me square in the ribs… I think he moved my heart with that shot."

HT: Sherdog

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

Vera can go away now.

Thanks.

by goodbones on Nov 15, 2009 2:36 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

I think he’s done enough to stick around a bit more. He accepted the loss like a champ, and deserves some more fights. Out of all the fighters that lost on this card tonight, Vera isn’t the one who should be getting cut.

"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate

by Kaleb Kelchner on Nov 15, 2009 2:38 AM EST up reply actions

Nope

The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.

by judonerd on Nov 15, 2009 2:50 AM EST up reply actions

time for strikeforce to pick up vera and have him fight mousasi

by pandaboy99 on Nov 15, 2009 2:55 AM EST up reply actions

No, Goodbones, YOU can go away now.

Thanks.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 3:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

what a snooze fest… holding your opponent to the fence for 15 min is not my idea of an exciting main event

by pandaboy99 on Nov 15, 2009 2:38 AM EST reply actions

I can only hope that Vera has learned his lesson now and will stop being so tentative. In the 1st I was overjoyed to see him come out and let it fly. Then every time he separated he let it fly again, but he kept letting Randy close the difference. It was like he wasn’t even trying to keep range. So confusing really.

As for the score, when I think about the fight, I’m at a bit of a loss as to what Randy did besides clinch and pin against the fence. His trademark dirty boxing was few and far between, and what little he did wasn’t very effective. He didn’t score with a lot of takedowns, when the fight was on the ground he wasn’t able to pass or land punches. When it wasn’t clinching he was avoiding punches and kicks while trying to clinch again ad infinity. I dunno. Brandon had full mount in the third, not to mention damaging body kicks. In the 2nd he had a knockdown. The first he engaged quite a bit and rocked Randy early. I just can’t think of what Randy did though.

by Dooda on Nov 15, 2009 2:55 AM EST reply actions

The first round randy won due to the fact he did more then Vera. Yes he only kept him on the cage but he did control where the fight was and fully in command of the round. The second was no question Vera, punishing body kick, dropping randy enough said Vera’s round. The third was when randy started to dirty box and once again controled where the fight went. He landed more strikes then Vera and when Vera got randy down he did not do much with it and randy got back up pretty quick. Also randy ended the round in a good position, therefore 3rd round Randy.

by Riley_96 on Nov 15, 2009 3:11 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I picked up a few things from this fight.

Randy is still REALLY good at closing in and establishing clinch.
Randy at 205 is a very physically imposing being again.
Vera’s wrestling is strong enough that he made Randy respect him and neutralized the dirty boxing.
Vera will come out strong against strong competition. He wasn’t particularly hesitant at any point.
Vera’s heart, conditioning, and weight cut are no longer issues.

by pdl on Nov 15, 2009 3:01 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I dunno about the condition, he looked exhausted at the end of the fight and couldn’t stand up straight after it ended.

I also didn’t think it was boring or the slightest bit confusing who won, so what do I know.

Okay, the first round was boring, and I would’ve scored it a draw if it hadn’t been so lopsided. The entire round took place on Couture’s terms. Two was clearly Vera, and but Randy came back from being as hurt as anyone ever has, I was positive he was done. I enjoyed round three, especially the latter half when Couture had Vera WTFO and turned up the dirty boxing.

by Hesperus on Nov 15, 2009 4:01 AM EST up reply actions

I think the only thing Vera lacks is the so-called “killer instinct”. He had Randy finished with that brutal body kink in the second – it reminded me of how Herring curled up after CC’s leg met his liver. I couldn’t believe Vera didn’t end it there. Am I overestimating how badly Couture was hurt, or underestimating Vera?

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by Scott C. Broussard on Nov 15, 2009 3:20 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think you’re over or underestimating anything. Randy looked rocked after that. I was surprised when Vera flopped down into his guard.

by kid_eh on Nov 15, 2009 3:41 AM EST up reply actions

This happened several times with different fighters it seemed. I couldn’t figure out why so many fighters let their opponents recover so many times, other than they were too tired and didn’t want to punch themselves out.

by Dooda on Nov 15, 2009 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

I agree on Vera’s lack of “killer instinct”. I see no sense of urgency on his face. He’s falling into that group of fighters who have exceptional talent, but fight not to lose rather than fighting to win. Sad because when he first entered the octagon, he looked every bit the part of a “finisher”.

BTW I had the fight 29-28 Vera.

by Dark Tower on Nov 15, 2009 3:49 AM EST up reply actions

"brutal body kink"

Ultimate S&M Championship, anyone?

by Hesperus on Nov 15, 2009 4:05 AM EST up reply actions

Vera is BAD and Couture is OLD. Then END.

I dislike Matt Hughes. Shogun beat him like a dirty horse.

by MonkeyCHops on Nov 15, 2009 6:02 AM EST reply actions

-n

I dislike Matt Hughes. Shogun beat him like a dirty horse.

by MonkeyCHops on Nov 15, 2009 6:17 AM EST up reply actions

Brandon Vera: The Upside

What we saw was not Brandon Vera’s exposure, nor did we see the end of him. What we saw was a fighter with top tier talent STILL stuck in whatever head trip is preventing him from pulling the trigger. Watching Vera fight is like watching an incomplete fight…something always feels missing. We see glimpses of what he COULD do but those are followed quickly by the reality of what e DOES do instead. He;s got great wrestling, great balance, great power, accuracy, a gas tank, he’s got what he needs to make that 205 title run…all, that is, except a fire inside and an inability to tie it all together as a mixed martial artist. No offense to yall DC area residents…but I think it’s time Vera branched out yo a different camp…draw new inspiration and find some direction. Couldn’t hurt.

by bonez2799 on Nov 15, 2009 6:18 AM EST reply actions

A little harsh

towards Vera perhaps?…There’s not many, if any better than Randy when it comes to using the clinch against the cage. He looks physically imposing at 205 and Vera isnt and wont be the only man who recieves the same treatment.
Agreed, i’d have liked to see a slightly more aggressive approach to his striking game, especially when he hurt Randy on a couple of occasions and had the opportunity to finish the fight. However, to call for him to be cut i think is a little premature, even if his past performances have been lackluster.

by TOON_UF on Nov 15, 2009 8:50 AM EST reply actions

Vera should never main event a card again unless he’s utterly demolished and stopped his past 2 legitimate opponents.

Regarding Randy’s age… when you’re fucking a 22 year old technically you’re not 46 anymore.

by mmalogic on Nov 15, 2009 10:27 AM EST reply actions

Thank god manny won last night otherwise Anton would have killed himself.

by mmalogic on Nov 15, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions

Haha.. I think both guys won.

And I don’t get why people are giving Vera shit for this one. It was Randy who “Tim sylvia’d” his was ang got a questionable decision..

If it was the other way around with randy trying to finish and Vera just stalling, people would HATE Vera even more.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Argh typo

His way and got a questionable…..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

actually Randy is finished… going in I thought all he had to do is protect his chin as that has gone with age… and now his body cant take punishment either.

If I could articulate the problem people have with Vera is that they see someone with so many physical attributes but also so many mental weaknesses.

Like a ferrari driving within the speed limit and shitty cars passing it by… just doesn’t look right.

by mmalogic on Nov 15, 2009 11:13 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe his body couldn't handle it because Brandon does have power in his legs?

Is that so impossible? Doesn’t mean his body is shot too you know..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 11:27 AM EST up reply actions

sure he’s got power… but Randy is slipping into the Matt Hughes “hold on for dear life” phase of his career.

by mmalogic on Nov 15, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions

True..

Their reflexes are slowing (plus Randy’s chin is weaker.. Not sure about Hughes) so they’re going back to what they know the most.. Wrestling.

Sucks that the casuals saw the fight go like that though. Doubt many of them got “converted”.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

“body can’t take punishment”

Going down to body shots isn’t really something that is altered by age.

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by Brent Brookhouse on Nov 15, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

ability to take punishment is altered by age… 5 years ago Randy would not have even farted with those kicks.

by mmalogic on Nov 15, 2009 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

Both Filipinos I mean.

weoweoweo .deviantart .com -- @antontabuena

Due to the Questionable decision: "The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint."

by Anton Tabuena on Nov 15, 2009 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Go back to HW Vera! He belongs at HW!

for all intents and purposes, just consider all my posts as works of satire.

by Bandaka on Nov 15, 2009 10:30 AM EST reply actions

Haters!

I think it’s funny when people shoot off their mouths saying this and that about fighters and how fight cards suck. About how Vera sucks and how Couture is too old. I enjoyed the fight. I was frustrated watching Vera when he should’ve pushed away and focused on his striking instead of clinching Couture. BUT it’s easier said than done with a world class wrestler like Couture.
I think they both looked good and negated each others skills a little bit…
I got to watch the fight a second time and Couture hit a few more punches than I realized when I watched it the first time. But I do think Vera won with damage.
If Couture gets a title shot with this fight I will be surprised…

by Lunchbox15 on Nov 15, 2009 11:16 AM EST reply actions

This is a problem to me.

Couture said this after the fight:

“You just don’t know what the judges are looking at and how they see the fight.”

So the fighters that are being judged don’t even know how they are being judged. Isn’t there something horribly wrong with the judging process if the fighters don’t even know how it works?

Just BE.

by mattman73 on Nov 15, 2009 11:40 AM EST reply actions

Yes.

But who’s going to invest the money into educating judges when its cheaper and easier to just say “Don’t let it go to the judges.” and shrug it off?

Without pain, without sacrifice, we would have nothing.

by lowellthehammer on Nov 15, 2009 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Cool, don’t fucking feminize something when you decide that it just bit you in the ass last night.

Sorry, that’s really my only gripe in this. Vera’s only mouthing off because he couldn’t even perform well against an old man – he was clearly capable, but something’s wrong when you get neutralized for three quarters of the fight.

by Gong on Nov 15, 2009 11:49 AM EST reply actions